Neal Plazio, executive chef for Campus Dining & Shops (CDS), has been named the 2018 Chef of the Year by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) of Greater Buffalo.

Plazio joined CDS in 2013, bringing with him more than 40 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. As executive chef, he oversees five chefs in UB’s three residential dining centers and provides food management for both retail and catering operations on campus.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, he is chair of the SUNY Culinary Summit, a three day conference and team culinary competition, as well as chair of the National Association of College and University Food Services' (NACUFS) Northeast Culinary Challenge.

“It is a special honor and very well deserved,” says Jacqueline Bamrick, president of the ACF of the Greater Buffalo chapter. “Neal has served his local ACF chapter well and made a difference for our organization. He is a talented chef with years of experience. We are so pleased to award him 2018 Chef of the Year.”

The honoree is chosen by a committee of past Chefs of the Year. To be nominated, candidates must be a Certified Executive Chef, a leader in the culinary/hospitality industry and maintain dedication to his/her craft and community as a whole. Plazio has been an ACF member for more than 15 years and has served the Greater Buffalo chapter as both president and treasurer.

“We are extremely proud and congratulate Chef Neal on this amazing award,” says Jeff Brady, CDS executive director. “He has done so much to elevate the collegiate dining experience here at UB and the profession in general throughout Western New York.”

Plazio will be awarded the Chef of the Year medal at a special dinner in June.