Experience Live Fire Cooking at the ACF National Convention in Grand Rapids

Join the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Greater Grand Rapids Chapter for the Live Fire Experience, an official event of the ACF National Convention 2026—bringing chefs and culinary professionals from across the country to Grand Rapids.

Hosted at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids, this premier live fire cooking event showcases top chefs preparing bold, flavor-driven dishes over wood, charcoal, smoke, and open flame.

As part of the national convention experience, this event serves as a signature welcome celebration—highlighting the best of the Midwest culinary scene for attendees and guests alike.

Chef Joe Fritz of SilverWolf P.A leads a dynamic live-fire station showcasing creative, chef-driven cuisine. Expect bold, fire-forward flavors crafted with precision, technique, and a focus on innovation

Led by Chefs Mick Rickerd, Rachel McGee, Sam Lake, and Dustin Dextar of the ACF Greater Grand Rapids Chefs, expect bold, fire-driven flavors from Big O' Smokehouse, pork belly from Hormel, and a vegan offering featuring Pebble Creek Produce! This station is crafted with precision, creativity, and a strong connection to Michigan ingredients.

Chef Michael Murray will lead the ACF Chef and Cooks Association of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Michigan team, presenting a seafood-focused experience using premium products from Fortune Fish & Gourmet. This station will showcase the natural flavors of seafood elevated through live fire cooking techniques.

Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski of the ACF Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Association leads this station, featuring premium beef from Wolverine Packing Company and Halperns' Steak and Seafood. With a focus on quality sourcing and expert execution, this station highlights bold, flame-forward beef preparations.

Led by Chef Travis Johnson, Chef Corey Arndt, and Chef Gabriel Rosado of the ACF Chefs of Northern Indiana Inc., this station showcases the richness and versatility of premium duck from Culver Duck. Known for their collaborative approach and refined technique, these chefs will highlight bold, fire-driven flavors centered around expertly prepared duck.

Chef Joseph Parajecki of the ACF Chefs of Milwaukee highlights premium beef from DemKota Ranch Beef. Known for consistency and quality, this station focuses on expertly cooked beef showcasing the power of simple ingredients over open flame.

Ticket Pricing

Complimentary Admission – Full Registration Convention Attendees
Available to individuals with full credentials for the ACF National Convention. Your registration includes access to this event at no additional cost. Register for the convention here!

$25 – ACF Members & Limited Convention Access
Available to any ACF Member and for those involved in the convention but without full credentials, including trade show vendors, competitors, and daily pass holders.

$40 – Food & Beverage Industry Professionals (Non-ACF Members)
Designed for chefs, operators, and industry professionals who are not ACF members but want to attend, network, and experience the event.

$50 – General Admission
Open to the public, including guests of convention attendees and ticket holders. Perfect for food enthusiasts and community members looking to experience an unforgettable night of live fire cooking and culinary talent.

This event would not be possible without the generous in-kind donations recieved from: Generous Event Donations from: Affinity Group, Ajinomoto, Alliance Food Service Equipment, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Bel Gioioso, BLiS Gourmet Foods, Carmela Foods, Cambro, Core Food Service, Demokota Ranch Beef, Fairway Meats, Fairway Packing, Farmlink of West Michigan, Gabriel Group, Halperns, Hormel, Impossible Meats, Lamb Weston, Lee Kum Kee, McCain, Motor City Seafood, Neuske’s, Pactive Evergreen, Pebble Creek Mushrooms, Q it Up!, Rich's, Sandridge, Sarkozy Bakery, Smithfield, Tom Maceri and Son Produce, Tyson, ValleyHUB, Visser Farms, and Wolverine.