American Culinary Federation – Tampa Bay Chef of the Year
Goes to Chef Rick Eppers of HOPCO

Chef Rick Eppers, Corporate Chef of HOPCO Foodservice Marketing, lives his life by a telling quote: If you help enough people get what they want, then you’ll get what you need.

This sense of community has led Chef Eppers to donate his time to Chef and Child educational programs, the American Culinary Association (ACF)-Tampa Bay Board of Directors, and to hosting ACF chapter meetings.

It also helped prompt the chapter’s 140 chefs, senior members and Tampa Bay area culinary students to vote him Chef of the Year.

Chef Eppers’ rich culinary experience began at Hyde Park’s Culinary Institute of America. More than two decades later his work has spanned every corner of foodservice, from operator to distributor to manufacturer to broker. This uniquely diverse experience gives Chef Eppers “the knowledge and skills necessary to understand every segment of the industry,” says Custom Culinary, Inc. Eastern Regional Sales Manager, Mark Mason. “His passion and his commitment to excellence are just two of many reasons why Rick is so highly respected in the industry and at the ACF.”

But being bestowed with the prestigious Chef of the Year Award necessitates demonstrating more than just strong professional experience or a unique skill set. The award criteria are all-encompassing, taking into consideration a chef’s character as well as professional acumen.

“The Chapter Chef of the Year Award recognizes an individual with a high standard of culinary skill who advances the cuisine of American cookery and gives back to the profession through community service, sharing of culinary knowledge, and commitment to the chapter,” says ACF-Tampa Bay Chapter Administrator Patricia Lee-Lucardie. “It is a given that this person also has the highest personal standards.”

For Chef Eppers, the most touching part of the award was being voted for by his peers. This is particularly significant in a dynamic ACF chapter where so many professionals give their time generously to the good of cooking in Tampa Bay.

Custom Culinary® Vice President-Eastern Region Diane Zuroweste sums it up. “His enthusiasm for culinary art and the foodservice industry has earned him the respect of his peers.”

HOPCO Foodservice is a long-time Custom Culinary, Inc. broker. Chef Eppers has worked extensively with all Custom Culinary® bases, sauces and gravies in the Tampa Bay market. The entire Custom Culinary® team would like to congratulate our fellow colleague on this distinguished honor.