On November 9th, the American Master Chefs’ Order (AMCO) hosted a special event to honor Ferdinand Metz, CMC at The Greenbrier, for his extraordinary contributions to the culinary world. This special event brought together some of the most talented chefs in America to pay tribute to a true culinary legend.

A Moment to Remember: Culinary Legend Trophy Presentation

AMC’s current President Kevin Walker, CMC, presented Ferdinand Metz, CMC with the Culinary Legend award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the culinary world.

Welcoming Chef Thomas Keller to AMCO

We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Thomas Keller as an honorary member of the American Master Chefs’ Order (AMCO). Chef Thomas Keller was honored with the Honorary American Master Chef Award—the very first to receive this distinction.

About the Honorary American Master Chef Award:

The award was created as a way of recognizing Chefs who have established themselves in our profession through their distinct culinary contributions. The individuals receiving the honorary degree have a sustained reputation over a lifetime career. The recipients have also established themselves through their professional, philanthropic, or charitable contributions. These individuals, having not gone through the Certified Master Chef process have proven themselves worthy of the designation. It’s also a way of aligning the American Master Chefs’ Order with inspiring achievements that reflect its ideals, helping to motivate and uplift the entire culinary community. 

Pictured Here: From left to right: Chef Paul Liptak, CEC (AMCO board member and key contributor to AMCO’s success), Hartmut Handke, CMC, Raimund Hofmeister, CMC, Ken Arnone, CMC, David Megenis, CMC, Kevin Walker, CMC, Chef Thomas Keller (honorary AMCO member), Ferdinand Metz, CMC, Dale Miller, CMC, Russell Scott, CMC, Gerald Ford, CMC, Robert Mancuso, CMC, and Jason Hall, CMC.

Heartfelt Speeches Celebrating Decades of Excellence

The event featured inspiring speeches from Master Chefs, each representing their decade of excellence:

• Kevin Walker, CMC
• Fritz Sonnenschmidt, CMC
• Gerald Ford, CMC
• David Megenis, CMC
• Robert Mancuso, CMC
• Dale Miller, CMC

These moving tributes highlighted the legacy of Ferdinand Metz and the incredible mark he has left on the culinary community.

The Metz Master Chef Family Tree

This is the Metz Master Chef Family Tree, created as a tribute to Ferdinand Metz, CMC, and his extraordinary influence on the culinary world. The tree honors all the successful candidates of the Certified Master Chef (CMC) and Certified Master Pastry Chef (CMPC) exam he created, representing the pinnacle of American culinary standards.

Want your own piece of this legacy? Order your print today and celebrate the chefs who continue to set the standard. Click here to purchase:

The Ferdinand Metz, CMC Honorary Event at The Greenbrier was more than a celebration; it was a gathering of visionaries united in their shared passion for culinary excellence. From honoring Chef Metz’s extraordinary legacy to welcoming Chef Keller into the AMCO family, the event served as a reminder of the power of mentorship, innovation, and dedication to the craft.

Photo Credit: Mike Wyatt, Greenbrier Photographer