April 30, 2026 saw the return of one of ACF Chefs of Las Vegas’ most beloved, time-honored, traditions – hosting the Chef of the Year awards dinner. A special night which not only honors the Chef of the Year, but several culinarians who have gone above and beyond in the industry.
This year’s event was held at Russell’s Restaurant, showcasing the culinary talents of students at College of Southern Nevada who prepared and served the night’s feast. The dinner was themed as a “French Bistro,” showcasing a menu thoughtfully prepared by students in the French cuisine class.
The night started with a cocktail hour featuring hors d’oeuvres like: Charcuterie Platter, Sushi, Cheese Board, Pickled Vegetables with Sliced Porchetta, Tomato Mozzarella Skewers, Mini Chicken Tacos with Radish Relish and Avocado Mousse, Merguez Sausage with Yogurt Sauce, and Takoyaki Octopus. Shout out to Vegas Food Project for donating the octopus.
On the main menu were delicious choices including: Creamy Brie and Spring Asparagus Soup or Salade Frisée aux Lardons et Oeuf Poché, Beef Wellington or Pan Seared Fillet of Halibut, and a Brandied Cherry Chocolate Ganache Cake or Amaretto Cake with Mango-Passion Fruit Sauce for dessert.
With dinner well under way it was time to get to the main show – introducing the honorees.
Without further ado, meet this year’s honorees:
J.B. Brown, Chef of the Year 2026
The Chef of the Year Award honors a member whose culinary excellence, character, and dedication have elevated the image of both the chef profession and the association. It recognizes the individual who has made the greatest impact through their contributions of time, knowledge, and service to the association and community.
This year we are proud to bestow this honor upon J.B. Brown who has been a dedicated leader and advocate within the American Culinary Federation for decades. His services include roles as Western Regional Chair of By Laws and Resolutions and Western Regional Director of Chef and Child, along with ongoing work on accreditation teams for the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Chef J.B. is also a dedicated member of the Las Vegas chapter and steadfast supporter of chapter activities, consistently attending events, helping plan initiatives, and stepping into leadership roles whenever needed. We are proud to call him Chef of the Year, and as a special surprise, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkeley sent special honors recognizing Chef J.B.’s work in the community!
P.S. We’re in love with these custom cookies Happy Trails Kitchen made to celebrate our main honoree of the night!
Jill Mora, Educator of the Year 2026
Educator of the Year honors a culinary instructor who inspires the next generation through passion, dedication, and a commitment to excellence both in and out of the kitchen. The inaugural recipient of this award is none other than Jill Mora who is recognized for her outstanding dedication to mentoring and preparing the next generation of culinary professionals.
Through her leadership at College of Southern Nevada and decades of involvement with American Culinary Federation student competitions, she has inspired countless aspiring chefs with her commitment to excellence, professionalism, and creativity. Her passion for student success and strong industry connections continue to make a lasting impact on both her students and the culinary community.
Genesis Enriquez, Student Culinarian of the Year
The Student Culinarian of the Year Award celebrates the student who goes above and beyond in and out of the kitchen—crushing the classroom curriculum while diving headfirst into competitions, leadership, events, and everything culinary school has to offer. It recognizes the future chef who stands out through passion, hustle, and involvement.
So it should be no surprise that one of our most dedicated volunteers, Genesis Enriquez, be recognized with this honor for her passion, leadership, and dedication to both culinary arts and hospitality. A student at both College of Southern Nevada and University of Nevada, Las Vegas, she has remained actively involved in student organizations, served as Vice President of CSN’s Culinary Club, and volunteered with initiatives like Chefs for Kids Cookin’ Up Breakfast. Her commitment to community service, professional growth, and future goals exemplifies the spirit of the next generation of culinary leaders.
You can learn more about this year’s recipients in the Chef of the Year book.
A distinguished guest of honor at the event was Chef Bill Yee, President and Founder of the ProChef America Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to make culinary education, cultural programming, and community service accessible to all. Chef Yee presented ProChef America Hats to ACF Chefs Las Vegas President Angela Armstrong and all current/past Chef of the Year Honorees in the room including: Chris Johns, Tom Rosenberger, Claude Lambertz, Darren Walters, and J.B. Brown.
As the evening came to a close, one thing was clear — the future of the culinary industry is in passionate, capable hands. From honoring longtime leaders who have dedicated their lives to service and mentorship, to celebrating rising stars already making their mark, the 2026 Chef of the Year Awards Dinner was a true reflection of what makes the ACF Chefs Las Vegas chapter so special: community, excellence, and a shared love of the craft. Congratulations once again to all of this year’s honorees, and thank you to everyone who helped make this unforgettable evening possible including our community partners: Anderson Dairy, Chefs for Kids, College of Southern Nevada, Jamba Juice, Nicholas and Company and The Blooming Bistro.