American Master Chefs' Order
American Master Chefs' Order is a 501(c)(6) non-profit that serves as the exclusive membership body for the approximately 70 chefs who have earned the Certified Master Chef (CMC) or Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) credential since 1981, providing assessment programs, annual summits, and industry advocacy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLeawood, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What American Master Chefs' Order does
American Master Chefs' Order (AMCO) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional organization organized in 2014 and headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. The organization serves as the membership body for chefs who have earned the Certified Master Chef (CMC) or Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) designation through the American Culinary Federation's rigorous examination, first commissioned in 1981. With only approximately 70 chefs having earned the credential since its inception, AMCO functions as an exclusive fraternity providing assessment programs for exam candidates, annual summits, mastermind events, podcasts, and industry advocacy to sustain and promote the culinary craft.
AMCO's core offerings center on the CMC/CMPC credentialing ecosystem, supplemented by an Assessment Program (launched 2023) that includes weekly Zoom sessions and in-person cooking assessments at Schoolcraft College, annual summits at prestigious venues such as The Greenbrier and The Broadmoor, Mastermind Summits at Middleby Innovation Kitchens, and content production through AMCO Podcasts. The organization is not a technology company; its infrastructure consists of a website, email communications, and virtual meeting platforms. Strategic corporate partners include a Cornerstone Partner (Middleby Corporation) and Foundation Sponsors across foodservice equipment, ingredients, and distribution (US Foods, J.M. Smucker, Maple Leaf Farms, Corby Hall, Fork Farms, Southbend, WINCO, Colorado Mills, C&T Design and Equipment Co.).
The business model is event- and sponsorship-driven rather than product-driven. Revenue streams include corporate sponsorships (with at least 10 named partners across Cornerstone, Foundation, and Minor tiers), event revenue (e.g., Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner tickets at $250 per person), and fundraising/donations to the AMCO Educational Foundation (e.g., French Laundry dinner raffle). The organization operates with 1-10 employees, is led by Executive Director Joan Brewster, and is governed by a Board of Directors including Chairman Russell Scott, President Kevin Walker, and Secretary-Treasurer Gerald Ford. Geographic operations are US-based, and the organization does not have funding rounds, subsidiaries, or external ownership.
American Master Chefs' Order firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Master Chefs' Order
- Legal name
- American Master Chefs' Order
- Website
- https://americanmasterchefsorder.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- American Master Chefs' Order is a 501(c)(6) non-profit that serves as the exclusive membership body for the approximately 70 chefs who have earned the Certified Master Chef (CMC) or Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) credential since 1981, providing assessment programs, annual summits, and industry advocacy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Master Chefs' Order industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Culinary Association
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Caterers (722320)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training) (EDAOAKAA), Corporate Meeting & Conference Planning (Internal/External) (THAHACAB), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)
Keywords
Where American Master Chefs' Order is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leawood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
American Master Chefs' Order business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support ranging from small donations to major investments in specific projects or programs. Sponsors receive recognition and partnership benefits with the organization's network of Master Chefs.
- Event Revenue: Revenue generated from annual summits, special events, and dinners. Example: Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner tickets priced at $250 per person.
- Fundraising/Donations: The organization conducts fundraising campaigns for its Educational Foundation, including donation-based contests like the French Laundry dinner fundraiser.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Special Event Tickets - Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
American Master Chefs' Order product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AMCO administers and supports the community of Certified Master Chefs (CMC) and Certified Master Pastry Chefs (CMPC) certified through the American Culinary Federation's rigorous examination. The organization delivers candidate assessment programs, hosts Annual Summits and Mastermind events at premier venues and sponsor facilities, produces educational podcast content, runs fundraising and awards programs (including the Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner), and manages an Educational Foundation to sustain the culinary craft.
Product overview
American Master Chefs' Order (AMCO) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional culinary organization organized in 2014. The organization's core offering is its fraternity of Certified Master Chefs (CMC) and Certified Master Pastry Chefs (CMPC) who have earned credentials through the American Culinary Federation's rigorous examination program. Supporting offerings include the Assessment Program for candidate preparation, Annual Summits and Mastermind events for professional development, AMCO Podcasts for industry content, and Master Chef Recipes collections contributed by members. The organization also conducts fundraising events including the French Laundry raffle and Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner. AMCO's work is supported by a network of corporate sponsors across the foodservice equipment, ingredients, and distribution sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Certified Master Chef (CMC) Certification Program The flagship professional certification program for culinary chefs, administered by the American Culinary Federation through a rigorous multi-day examination; AMCO membership comprises chefs who have earned this designation.
- Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) Certification Program Professional pastry certification administered by the American Culinary Federation, complementing the CMC program for pastry specialists who achieve the credential.
- Assessment Program Structured evaluation program designed to help chefs prepare for the Certified Master Chef exam, including weekly Zoom sessions, menu assignments review, and in-person cooking assessments at Schoolcraft College.
- AMCO Mastermind Summit Annual event hosted at the Middleby Innovation Kitchens (MIK) in Dallas, TX, bringing together Master Chefs and sponsors for networking, collaboration, and cooking demonstrations in a state-of-the-art environment.
- Annual Summits Annual gatherings of Master Chefs featuring educational sessions, networking events, and recognition ceremonies. Past venues include The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs) and The Greenbrier (West Virginia).
- The Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner Annual event honoring culinary legends, including the 2024 ceremony at The Greenbrier honoring Ferdinand Metz, CMC, with Chef Thomas Keller as special guest. Dinner tickets are $250 per person, including cocktail reception, five-course dinner with wine pairings, tax and gratuity, with proceeds supporting the AMCO assessment program.
- Educational Foundation AMCO's charitable foundation supporting culinary education and professional development through fundraising activities such as the French Laundry raffle fundraiser.
- French Laundry Fundraiser Fundraising raffle offering dinner for two at The French Laundry with wine pairings, $2,500 travel card, CIA at COPIA dining certificate, and Winco knife set, with proceeds supporting AMCO's Educational Foundation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Only approximately 70 chefs have succeeded from several hundred who attempted the exam since 1981
Companies that use American Master Chefs' Order
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
American Master Chefs' Order technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American Master Chefs' Order partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- C&T Design and Equipment Co.coreA unique foodservice distribution source offering design and consulting services plus top-of-the-line equipment, furniture and smallwares. Supports AMCO's work and helps make an impact in the culinary world.
- US FoodscoreOne of America's leading foodservice distributors, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators. US Foods provides support for AMCO's mission through sponsorship, enabling the organization to host events and assessment programs.
- Middleby CorporationflagshipCornerstone Partner of AMCO. Hosted the 2023 Mastermind Summit at Middleby Innovation Kitchens (MIK) in Dallas, TX. Provides state-of-the-art cooking environment for AMCO events and member collaboration.
- Maple Leaf Farms, Inc.coreNorth America's leading producer of quality duck products, supplying retail and foodservice markets throughout the world. Founded in 1958, it is a fourth-generation family-owned company and Foundation Sponsor of AMCO.
- Corby HallcoreOne of the last family-owned foodservice tabletop companies in the United States, supplying high quality flatware, dinnerware, and hollowware for over 40 years. Foundation Sponsor providing products and support for AMCO events.
- Fork FarmscoreLeading a Fresh Food for All revolution, a forward-thinking technology-savvy company dedicated to creating a better, cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable food system. Foundation Sponsor supporting AMCO's mission.
- J.M. Smucker Co. (Smucker Away from Home)coreDivision specializing in foodservice professionals with iconic brands including Smucker's, Jif, Folgers, 1850, Dickinson's, and Cafe Bustelo. Foundation Sponsor supporting AMCO initiatives.
- SouthbendcoreFoundation Sponsor providing foodservice equipment support for AMCO events and programs.
- WINCO, DWL International Trading, LLCcoreInternational trading company and Foundation Sponsor. Featured at NAFEM Show with Master Chef demonstrations using WINCO products.
- Colorado Mills Sunflower OilcoreFoundation Sponsor providing quality cooking oil products for AMCO events and member kitchens.
- American Culinary Federation (ACF)flagshipThe organization that administers the Certified Master Chef (CMC) and Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) certification exams. AMCO membership consists of chefs who have passed ACF's rigorous examination. Strategic partner in culinary excellence.
- Colorado LambminorAgricultural brand partner providing quality lamb products and podcast sponsorship for AMCO's Understanding Colorado Lamb series.
- The Greenbrier ResortflagshipNational Historic Landmark and world-class resort in West Virginia hosting AMCO's Annual Summit and Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner. Embodies the spirit and endurance of American food and hospitality.
- The Broadmoor ResortflagshipAAA Five Diamond Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado, host of multiple AMCO Annual Summits (2017, 2019). Longest consecutive winner of Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond awards.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Master Chefs' Order competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- World Association of Chefs Societies: Worldchefs is the global federation of national culinary associations, operating internationally where AMCO is US-only. It serves a comparable professional society role for chefs but at much broader geographic scope.
- James Beard Foundation: The James Beard Foundation operates as a US culinary non-profit focused on industry recognition, education, and events. While more oriented toward awards and media, it shares AMCO's non-profit, chef-promotion model and corporate sponsorship base.
- Culinary Institute of America: The CIA is the premier US culinary education institution that trains and pipelines chefs who often go on to pursue CMC certification through AMCO. It is comparable as a key ecosystem participant shaping the talent pipeline AMCO depends on.
- International Association of Culinary Professionals: IACP is a US-based nonprofit that supports food and beverage professionals through education, networking, and awards. It is comparable to AMCO as a non-profit professional association serving culinary practitioners.
Direct peers
- Disciples Escoffier: An international gastronomic society dedicated to Escoffier's classical culinary traditions, with a comparable mission to AMCO of preserving culinary excellence and elevating chef professionals through membership-based networking and events.
- Les Dames d'Escoffier International: An international organization of women leaders in the culinary, hospitality, and beverage industries. Comparable to AMCO as a membership-based, nonprofit professional society that hosts events and supports education and networking.
- American Culinary Federation: ACF is the national professional association for chefs that administers the Certified Master Chef and Certified Master Pastry Chef examinations on which AMCO's entire membership depends. The two organizations are deeply intertwined: AMCO members are by definition ACF-certified, making ACF the closest functional peer.
- Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs: An international gastronomy society rooted in classical French tradition with local chapters that host dining events, competitions, and networking. It is comparable to AMCO as a non-profit professional society emphasizing culinary craftsmanship and exclusive membership.
Emerging players
- Bocuse d'Or: The Bocuse d'Or is the world's most prestigious culinary competition, addressing a similar elite-chef talent pool to AMCO. While competition-focused rather than membership-based, it competes for the same sponsor and audience attention at the high end of professional cooking.
- Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts: A US culinary school with industry-relations ties into AMCO's leadership (Frank Vollkommer, CMPC is Director of Culinary Industry Relations there). Comparable as a culinary education and training organization feeding the professional chef talent pool AMCO certifies.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
American Master Chefs' Order social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Master Chefs' Order financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Master Chefs' Order leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
American Master Chefs' Order funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Master Chefs' Order M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Master Chefs' Order
What does American Master Chefs' Order do?
AMCO administers and supports the community of Certified Master Chefs (CMC) and Certified Master Pastry Chefs (CMPC) certified through the American Culinary Federation's rigorous examination. The organization delivers candidate assessment programs, hosts Annual Summits and Mastermind events at premier venues and sponsor facilities, produces educational podcast content, runs fundraising and awards programs (including the Ferdinand Metz Culinary Legend Award Dinner), and manages an Educational Foundation to sustain the culinary craft.
Is American Master Chefs' Order a public or private company?
American Master Chefs' Order is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Master Chefs' Order founded?
American Master Chefs' Order was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is American Master Chefs' Order based?
American Master Chefs' Order is headquartered in Leawood, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Master Chefs' Order make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are event Revenue and fundraising/Donations.
Who are American Master Chefs' Order's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are World Association of Chefs Societies, James Beard Foundation, Culinary Institute of America and International Association of Culinary Professionals. Direct peers are Disciples Escoffier, Les Dames d'Escoffier International, American Culinary Federation and Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Emerging players are Bocuse d'Or and Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
Does American Master Chefs' Order have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Master Chefs' Order.
What industry is American Master Chefs' Order in?
American Master Chefs' Order's product category is Professional Culinary Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies), with a secondary code of EDAOAKAA, Professional Culinary Arts (Chef Training). Its NAICS code is 56192.