Chef's Corner

ACP Announces New Eastern Regional Sales Manager

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (May 1, 2025) – David Kalinowski, President of ACP, Inc., a Welbilt company, announced the hiring of Chef Chris Bugher as Manager-Eastern Regional Sales, effective May 7, 2025.

Chef Chris is a Certified Executive Chef (CEC) and brings a wealth of culinary knowledge, with many top global accomplishments and awards. He has over 10 years in culinary education as a chef instructor for colleges in Huntington, WV and most recently, Asheville, NC, leading a college fine dining restaurant, and coaching his student culinary team to an American Culinary Federation (ACF) national championship last year.

Chris holds Associates of Applied Science degrees in both Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. Additionally, he has been Chef/Owner for two businesses including his consultant firm for the past five years, where he has provided restaurant and hospitality consulting services.

“We are thrilled that Chef Chris has joined ACP to lead our Eastern US regional sales initiatives,” said Kalinowski. “He brings a wealth of expertise and his ability to teach, train, and educate in all things culinary, including kitchen equipment and menu development, makes him an excellent addition to our team.”

About ACP, Inc.

ACP, Inc. manufactures a full line of commercial high-speed cooking equipment carrying the Amana® Commercial, Menumaster® Commercial, and XpressChef® brands. In 1969, ACP, Inc. brought the first commercial microwave to the market under the Amana brand.

In the 1980’s, ACP, Inc. introduced the first high-speed combination oven to market—the Jetwave®. Today, Amana Commercial, Menumaster Commercial, and XpressChef remain the recognized leaders of commercial microwave ovens and high-speed cooking solutions. Building upon a solid foundation of innovation, technology and state-of-the-art facilities, ACP, Inc. continues to develop new products designed to reduce cooking time, improve overall kitchen efficiency, and enhance the quality and consistency of the foods prepared in our ovens. Amana Commercial, Menumaster Commercial, and XpressChef products are backed by world-class 24/7/365 ComServ service and support and are fabricated and assembled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.