Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength’s 20th Annual Conference of Leaders Produces Seattle Winner as Cindy Baccetti Wins National “Rookie of the Year” Award

NEW YORK–Oct. 9, 2004
The Seattle restaurant and hospitality community has a new nationally recognized leader. Cindy Baccetti, accepted the “Rookie of the Year” honor at the Share Our Strength Conference of Leaders Awards. The event was held at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in New York on October 4, 2004.

The Conference of Leaders Awards in attended by many of America’s master chefs, food writers, authors, corporate officers and elected officials, all of whom share a concern about hunger and malnutrition in our country. The “Rookie of the Year” honor is awarded to “a new leader in the Share Our Strength family who has supported our anti-hunger activities with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication.”

The award ceremony, which was emceed by ABC’s Faith Ford, followed three days of meetings and workshops, including a keynote speech by Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and chief executive officer of American Express Company. Chenault’s address highlighted Share Our Strength’s accomplishments and American Express’s commitment to help in the fight against hunger. Other conference speakers included John Tyson (CEO Tyson Foods, Inc) and Jeff Swartz (CEO Timberland Inc.), as well as panel members Tom Brokaw (NBC news), Jonathan Alter (Newsweek), R.W. Apple, Jr. (New York Times), and Mark Halperin (ABC News).

The “Rookie of the Year” award completes an exciting year for Baccetti. “I’m humbled by the award, especially in this city where so many people give so much to support the programs of Share Our Strength.” Baccetti continued “It also makes me very proud to be a part of the local restaurant and hospitality community.” Deb Hermansen, a Seattle resident and member of the Share Our Strength National Advisory Board, commented on the award. “Cindy joined Share Our Strength’s Chef Night Out & Taste of the Nation committees in lead roles for the first time this year. She had previously participated in TASTE as a restaurant participant for 3 years. Her role at CNO was P.R. Chair and, for the first time, the event sold out, in large part due to her grassroots promoting. She doggedly stayed in contact with the press and other event listing organizations to be sure they had the right information. We tracked 38% of our ticket sales to her solo efforts. She also contributed in procurement, landing us fabulous silent auction items and secured new relationships for future corporate sponsorships.

In TASTE she worked on corporate sponsorship, and her tenacious, “never accept no” attitude has been an inspiration to veteran Seattle SOS-ers, giving us the challenge we need as well as a strong role model for first timers.