ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Thomas “Tom” Macrina, CEC, CCA, HGT, AAC, will become the new president of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), effective July 25, during the 2013 ACF National Convention in Las Vegas.

Macrina is the product specialist manager/executive chef at U.S. Foods, Philadelphia Division. He graduated from the Center for Technical Studies Culinary Arts program in 1974 and continued his culinary studies at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., from 1974 to 1976, graduating with an A.O.S. degree. The chef has also served in senior culinary positions in hotels, resorts and restaurants. He was executive chef at the Desmond Great Valley Hotel and Conference Center in Philadelphia, a position he held before joining U.S. Foods.

CHICAGO — The 94th annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA Show) come to a close yesterday in Chicago where thousands of industry professionals gathered at the McCormick Place for the four-day event.

The upbeat show was highlighted by satisfied exhibitors, good industry visitor traffic (including buyers), and solid attendance at the various seminars and presentation offered throughout the event, which began Saturday, May 18.

MIAMI — Burger King has launched a new summer barbecue menu, featuring 13 menu items, including a rib sandwich, a barbecue chicken salad and sweet potatoes fries.

“Our Burger King family loves the outdoor grilling season,” said Flavia Faugeres, EVP and global chief marketing officer, Burger King Worldwide, Inc.

SEATTLE — Starbucks has launched its first community store in the Langsuan neighbourhood of Bangkok, Thailand where 10 per cent of sales from Starbucks beverages will be directed to the farming communities of Northern Thailand.