AUI (Albert Uster Imports) was the first company to introduce Swiss couverture to American chefs and is proud to expand and improve their classic Des Alpes couverture collection with new packaging and an additional couverture percentage, 58% Emerald Dark Couverture.

All of the Des Alpes couverture coins are now available in convenient 11lbs/5kg cube boxes. The sleek boxes include color coded labels, a list of the cocoa bean assemblages, and Quick Response (QR) codes that link directly to a comprehensive collection of original Des Alpes recipes crafted by the AUI culinary team and informative tempering videos hosted on the company’s YouTube channel. Moreover, these Des Alpes couvertures have specially created inner bags to protect the couverture from direct sunlight, humidity, and unwanted odors.

Please contact customer service at 1.800.231.8154 or customerservice@auiswiss.com with any questions about perishability, special shipping constraints, or with any concerns.

2012 Thanksgiving Shipping Schedule

The ACF Culinary Team USA has just returned home from Erfurt, Germany where they participated in the Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung (IKA) International Culinary Exhibition (also known as the “Culinary Olympics”) from October 5-10. Hard work by all four ACF teams paid off, with each team placing in the top 10. The ACF Culinary National Team, U.S. Army Culinary Arts Team, regional, and youth teams competed against 1,500 chefs from 54 countries to earn two gold medals and five silver medals. The ACF Culinary National Team won two silver medals, one in cold-food presentation and one in hot-food presentation. The U.S. Army Culinary Arts Team took home a gold medal in cold-food and a silver medal in hot-food presentation.

Congratulations to the ACF Culinary Teams for their outstanding performance at the Culinary Olympics. AUI is proud to have sponsored and supported the ACF Culinary Team and its members including Steve Jilleba, CMC, CCE, AAC, manager; Thomas Macrina, CEC, CCA, HGT, AAC, business manager; and Joachim Buchner, CMC, coach. Congratulations to all of the U.S. individual winners, including 2012 Michigan Culinary Olympics Team members Brian Beland, CMC, for winning gold; Doug Ganhs, CEC, for winning bronze; Shawn Loving, CEC, CCA, for winning bronze; Sarah Rougeau, CSC, for winning silver; and Gabriel Vera for receiving a diploma at IKA. To read more about the ACF Culinary Teams experience visit their blog.

St. Augustine, Fla., April 18, 2012—St. Louis resident Casey Shiller, CEPC, program coordinator of baking and pastry arts at St. Louis Community College–Forest Park, was recently recognized by the American Culinary Federation, the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America, for his outstanding teaching skills. He received the organization’s Central Region Chef Educator of the Year award during the 2012 ACF Central Regional Conference in Detroit, April 14-16.

“Students are amazing. Their thirst for knowledge is unwavering,” said Shiller. “I am so proud to be part of their lives, shaping them into the future leaders of the baking and pastry industry. I am humbled to be honored as the ACF Central Region Chef Educator of the Year and am grateful that ACF shines a light on the impact educators have on the future of our industry.”

The 2012 ACF Central Region Chef Educator of the Year award pays tribute to an active culinary educator whose knowledge, skills and expertise have given culinary students leadership and guidance for the future. As this year’s Central Region recipient, Shiller will vie for the national title against three other candidates at the 2012 ACF National Convention in Orlando, Fla., July 14-17. Candidates will each give a lecture/demonstration before a panel of judges who will decide the winner.

AUI (Albert Uster Imports), announced a new partnership with acclaimed pastry and bakery manufacturer, Martin Braun. As the exclusive distributor of BRAUN products in the United States, customers will receive a selection of high-quality, high-value and extremely versatile ingredients. Known for their superior product quality, the exclusive BRAUN product line matches AUI’s standards of culinary excellence. BRAUN, based in Hanover, Germany, is a worldwide leader in the baking industry and caters to AUI’s core customer base with a comprehensive collection of powder mixes, baking ingredients, flavorings, fillings, glazes and coatings. In addition to delivering BRAUN’s “quality on principle” products to customers, AUI offers exclusive recipe creations on their website to demonstrate the versatility and convenience of the collection. “Alaska Express is the signature product in our BRAUN line. It includes over 10 different freeze-stable powder mousse mixes that are easily to prepare to achieve a consistent product,” Corporate Pastry Chef, Amanda Haba said. “We are thrilled to exclusively import and distribute the BRAUN collection,” President and CEO, Philipp Braun said. “As culinary experts, BRAUN understands the importance of a knowledgeable sales force and AUI is excited to partner with them.”