09/10/2024
The ACF High Sierra Chefs are sad to announce that one of our long time members Chef Joe Eidem CEC,AAC,HAAC, HOF has passed away on 09/08/2024. Chef Joe was a mentor to many other Chefs both young and old. He was a dear friend of the association and was a great supporter of the Chapter and the Culinary Students of Northern Nevada.
We will keep the community informed when the family makes arrangements. The obituary, courtesy of his son Bryan Eidem is included.
Joseph Edwin Eidem also known as Chef Joe passed away on 09,08 of 2024. Chef Joe was born December 23, 1949 in Los Angeles, California to Robert Eidem and Evelyn (Marsola) Eidem. He grew up in Monterey Park, California. After high school he attended various colleges to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist and Emergency Room Physician Assistant. In 1971 he found his lifelong soul mate Valery Lynn Forrey, they were married in 1972. Soon the young couple relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1976. Joe found employment with the VA hospital in Portland. In 1979 he changed profession to utilize his passion for food as Assistant Chief of Food Production & Service. Chef Joe and his young family relocated to Reno, Nevada in 1982. He continued in the culinary arts at the VA Medical Center in Reno as the Chief of Food Production & Service / Executive Chef. In 1983 in became an active member with the High Sierra Chefs Association and the American Culinary Federation. Chef Joe received many awards and recognition for his involvement and dedication in the culinary profession, including Western Regional Chef of the Year and was voted by his peers as the most Professional Chef in America in 2006. He was honored in 2018 into the American Culinary Federation Culinary Hall of Fame in recognition of his successful career. In 1989 Chef Joe continued his culinary career at Renown (Washoe) Medical Center, as Executive Chef and then promoted to Director of Nutrition Services until a short retirement in December of 2008. In 2009 Chef Joe accepted a position as Western Regional Director for R&R Enterprises and Success Coach for Don Miller & Associates. His heart was always in healthcare food service, so he accepted temporary positions which lead to a permanent position as Director & Executive Chef of Nutrition Services at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, California. He proudly worked at Arrowhead for 4 years to return after his 2nd retirement for another 3 years. Chef Joe was active with the American Culinary Federation, the American Academy of Chefs, the Royal Order of the Golden Toque, Fellow in the World Master Chefs Society of Europe, and the Order of the Sons of Italy in America. He also enjoyed acting and participating in local plays and performing his cooking magic at Sparks Farmers Market, hosting his TV show and volunteering for many charitable events. He authored a life story and cookbook, Utilizing Your Passion to Achieve Success. His 2 nd book The Passion of Cooking was a collection of 200 of his favorite recipes. He and his wife Valery loved to travel especially to Sicily, where he was able to meet many of his cousins on his grandfather’s side of the family. One of his highlighted trips was a road trip he took with his friends, Robert Planeta and Doyle Mollering. They covered 16 States and with no agenda they had a blast. He really enjoyed travelling with Valery to ACF Conventions and Conferences then take extra time to travel and discover many historical events from the State they were in. This travel also led to Graceland and the Heartbreak hotel; Joe loved everything connected to Elvis Presley. Chef Joe and his family really loved to participate in Hot August Nights and enjoyed showing their 1962 Cadillac Convertible known as “Lady Godiva” and his 1950 Willys Cowboy Pick-up truck. Chef Joe went to the first Hot August Nights in 1986 and never missed one since. He would particularly enjoy hanging out with the guys and showing off their classic cars especially with Bob, Doyle, Larry, and his brother Bobby. At night, all the families would get together for a BBQ and then go cruising around Reno & Sparks. He was the happiest when his Grandchildren would join them, he always said that was the best gift ever to share with his grandchildren the love of classic cars and cooking. As a good Papa he would cook breakfast for his entire crew prior to the day of showing off cars. Joe loved watching Valery’s interaction with the grandkids and doing fun handicrafts things with them. If you knew Chef Joe then you would know his wife Valery, and all his family. He is survived by his devoted wife Valery of 52 years, and their sons, Oldest Son, Anthony (Tony), Grandchildren Dresden, Josephine, Havanah, and Vincent, of Chico, Ca, & Middle Son, Bryan and his son Joseph, of Reno, NV, & Youngest Son Chris (Nina) and their children, Hunter, Skylar, and Waylon, of El Segundo, CA. A sister, Peggy Smith of Reno, NV, who passed away in 2016 and an older brother Robert Arnold (Carol) of Fullerton, Ca. Numerous cousins, nieces & nephews. Papa also cherished his friends and co-workers and always felt blessed to be with them.
