In Memoriam: Chef Michael Whitesides

It is with great sadness that ACF Chefs Las Vegas mourns the passing of beloved chapter member Chef Michael Whitesides, who passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 77.

A dedicated chef, entrepreneur, mentor and longtime member of the culinary community, Chef Michael leaves behind a legacy built on a lifelong passion for the craft, a commitment to excellence and a genuine desire to give back to the culinary profession and his community.

A memorial service celebrating Chef Michael’s life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Palm Mortuary Downtown, 1325 N. Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89101. In honor of Chef Michael and his lifelong dedication to the culinary profession, chefs attending the service are asked to wear their white chef coats.

A Career Spanning Some of the Industry’s Finest Kitchens

Chef Michael’s culinary career spanned decades and took him to some of the country’s most prestigious hotels, resorts and kitchens in eight states! Among the many highlights of his career were positions at the original Hugo’s restaurant at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency, Caesars Palace, the renowned Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, and numerous exclusive ski, spa and golf resorts.

Through each chapter of his career, Michael developed a reputation for professionalism, creativity and an unwavering dedication to his craft. His experience in luxury hospitality helped shape the chef he would become, while his entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to build something of his own.

In 1995, Michael founded Affairs to Remember Catering, establishing a successful catering business that allowed him to bring his culinary talents and hospitality expertise directly to clients and special events throughout the community.

A Chef Who Gave Back

For Michael, being a chef was about more than the food. He was a passionate member of ACF Chefs Las Vegas for 46 years and was never one to sit quietly on the sidelines. He was sponsored member 0024! He consistently brought ideas, enthusiasm and a willingness to help to the table—whether the conversation centered on the chapter, the culinary profession or Chefs for Kids, the chapter’s nonprofit dedicated to helping children in need. He dished out more than two dozen charity auction dinners and loved doing them!

His involvement reflected the spirit of what it means to be part of a professional culinary organization: sharing knowledge, supporting fellow chefs and using the talents of the culinary community to make a difference.

Michael’s contributions to ACF Chefs Las Vegas did not go unnoticed. Over the years, his dedication and service were recognized with some of the chapter’s highest honors, including the President’s Award in 2013, the Hall of Fame Award in 2015 and Chef of the Year in 2019.

These awards represent more than professional accomplishments. They are a testament to the respect and affection Michael earned from his fellow chefs and the lasting impact he had on the chapter he called home.

A Lasting Legacy

Chef Michael Whitesides will be remembered not only for the many kitchens in which he worked or the business he built, but for the people he touched along the way. His passion for cooking, his entrepreneurial spirit, his willingness to share ideas and his dedication to giving back made him a valued member of the ACF Chefs Las Vegas family.

As chefs gather in their whites to celebrate his life on his birthday, they will honor a colleague who spent his life proudly wearing the same uniform and representing the profession he loved.

Chef Michael will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live on through the chefs he inspired, the community he served and the ACF family that was fortunate to call him one of its own.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.