ASSOCIATION OF CHINESE COOKING TEACHERS

The Association of Chinese Cooking Teachers (ACCT) is an all-volunteer educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. We promote the cuisines and cultures of Asia and provide a forum for food professionals, culinary students, food purveyors and all food enthusiasts to network and exchange information and ideas.

“Sin Eye Say” is ACCT's Chinese Name. The literal English translation is as follows: "Food Art Club." The three characters as spoken in Cantonese are, “Sin Eye Say”.

• The first character, SIN, means, “politely spoken—to dine, to cook or to eat.”
• The second character, EYE, means, “art, cooking”
• The third character, SAY, means, “gathering, community.”

ACCT strives to include the elements of fun, friendship in common exploration, and adventure in all ACCT events and programs.  Programs are designed to teach the culinary traditions of Pan Asia. Foods of China, Japan, Korea, the countries of Southeast Asia, India and Middle East are included.  We may visit restaurant kitchens, cooking schools, markets, manufacturers, temples and present methods of cooking and hands-on demos.

Our club traditions include an annual Chinese New Year Dinner in February; Founder's Day Luncheon in April; Members' Potluck Picnic in July; Community Service Volunteerism as an outreach program in the fall and an annual Holiday party in December.  Other workshops, hands-on cooking demonstrations are also sponsored by ACCT. Annually we operate eight to ten programs, all year round in locations throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

In 1983, a group of women took a Gayle Chan Tour to China. On their return flight, ACCT co-founder Rose Chang had the idea to form their group of cooking teachers into a club. They would meet and learn more about Chinese cooking together.  Gayle Chan became the first president of ACCT.  Club Founders included Rose Chang, May Mullen, Gayle Chan, Tane Chan, Terry Shimizu and Lena Fong.  Their initial meetings were at the Yum-Yum Restaurant or in the back of The Wok Shop owned by Tane Chan (ACCT's only Life Member) on Grant Avenue, San Francisco.  The Wok Shop still sells a complete line of Chinese cooking wares.  John Shimizu, Terry’s husband, drove the women, did the heavy lifting and helped behind the scenes.  Nellie Hee, Gayle’s mother did background work, but it was Rose Chang who did everything from beginning to end.  

A month later, Shirley Ross, who knew Gayle, Gladys Lee, a tester at Yan Can Cook, joined ACCT.  Within 6-weeks, ACCT put an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle to seek out new members. Answering the ad were: Pearl Lee, Alice Jue, Peter Hertzman, Mary Wilson, Doris and Barbara, Jeanette Kim, Hank Quock, Brenda Chinn, Mary Fok, and Martin Yan.  This core group formed the club that led the group to what it is today. 

ACCT has grown to include anyone who has a strong interest in Asian foods and cultures.  Our membership includes restaurateurs, chefs, caterers, cooking instructors, food writers, cookbook authors, culinary educators, graphic designers, stylists, retailers, and travel consultants as well as foodies who enjoy cooking Asian food and love gourmet dining.  Members reside throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and coastal regions.  Out-of-area members hail from Houston; Boston; New York City; Lima, Peru; and Shenzhen, China.