David Russell, CEC AAC, Unilever Food Solutions Corporate Chef Receives Honor of Golden Toque Induction

October 12, 2010. Lisle, IL—Unilever Food Solutions proudly congratulates Corporate Chef, David Russell, CEC, AAC, who was recently inducted into the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque. This lifetime membership is granted to one hundred esteemed chefs by nomination only, and is one of the highest acclaimed recognitions a chef can receive in America.

During his more than 25 years of service to the foodservice industry, Chef Russell has been an active leader within the culinary community. He currently serves as the National Vice President of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and holds the title of National Director of Public Relations for the American Academy of Chefs (AAC), the Honor Society of the ACF. In addition, Chef Russell has been an adjunct instructor of Culinary Arts at the College of DuPage for more than eight years, where he enjoys working with and mentoring young culinarians. As committee chairman, he supports the College of DuPage Culinary Department “Traditions in Excellence” fundraising dinner and he sits on the permanent committee of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society.

A graduate of Northwood University and Joliet Junior College, Chef Russell has received numerous culinary competition medals, as well as recognition for his service to the culinary industry, including the Unilever President’s Award (2008), the ACF President’s Medallion (1998) and the College of DuPage Adjunct “Instructor of the Year” Award (1999).

Prior to joining the Unilever Food Solutions culinary team, Chef Russell served as an Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director and a Regional Culinary/F&B Task Force Leader for Marriott Hotels and Resorts over the course of ten years. Chef specializes in regional Italian cuisine and is an honorary member of the Italian Chefs and Cooks Association in Siena, Italy, where he was married to his wife, Jill, who is also an accomplished chef. Chef Russell and his wife reside in Naperville, Ill.

The Honorable Order of the Golden Toque was established to give recognition to chefs who have served the culinary community for at least twenty years, devoting their time and energy to the culinary profession and art through professional attainment, progress and service. Founded in France and brought to the U.S. by Chef Pierre Berard, it is the mission of the organization to provide and foster a forum for the exchange of culinary knowledge and expertise so that its members may assist in the development of young culinarians and improve the overall quality of life in a multicultural world community.

As one of the world’s top global foodservice companies, bringing leading brands such as Knorr®, Hellmann’s®, Lipton® and LeGoût® to foodservice kitchens, Unilever Food Solutions is committed to supporting operators in all facets of the industry to create solutions that help grow their business and is honored to count Chef Russell as one of its valued culinary experts in North America.