United Fresh Las Vegas 2008 will be the place of honor as five outstanding chefs and their companies are recognized at this year’s convention. United Fresh Research & Education Foundation announced today the winners of the 2008 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award.
The award, sponsored by Pro*Act LLC, honors chefs and their companies for the use of produce in the culinary arts. “Pro*Act is proud to sponsor this award, and we thank all of the nominees and all of the chefs who make it a point to incorporate fresh produce into their menu items,” said Steve Grinstead, president and CEO of Pro*Act. “We look forward to honoring the winners and their companies in Las Vegas.”
“With Pro*Act’s generous support, we’re delighted to honor individuals and companies that are committed to incorporating fresh produce into menu offerings,” said Tom Stenzel, president of United Fresh. “And what better place than Las Vegas to celebrate the culinary arts,” he said.
The five winners were selected from nearly 100 nominations submitted by produce companies and restaurants across the industry. Both the chefs and their corporate produce executives will be honored in each of five business categories. The 2008 winners in each category are:
- Fine Dining
Chef Tony Baker, Montrio Bistro, Monterey, CA - Casual & Family Dining
Chef Reinhard Dorhuber, Elephant Bar Restaurant, La Mirada, CA - Quick Service
Chef Daniel Coudreaut, Director of Culinary Innovation, McDonald’s USA, Oak Brook, IL - Business in Industry & Colleges
Chef Jonathan Davey, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
- Hotels & Healthcare
Chef JP Hagot, Peconic Landing, Greenport, NY
A panel of produce industry representatives focused on the foodservice sector scored the winners based on submissions that described how each nominee incorporates fresh produce into menu development, uses protocols for correct storage and handling of produce, and builds an overall positive dining experience featuring fresh produce.
The five winning chefs and their corporate executives will receive complimentary airfare, two nights hotel accommodations, and registrations to the United Fresh show, May 5-7 in Las Vegas. The winners will receive their awards at the Annual Awards Banquet Tuesday evening, May 6. The chefs will also participate in United Fresh’s convention education program to share their views on produce trends in foodservice in the “Produce Marketing Track – Foodservice Trends to Explode Produce Sales” on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Bally’s.
“The response to this first year program was really exciting. We received so many excellent nominations from chefs around the country and from very diverse foodservice operations,” said Amy Philpott, United Fresh vice president of marketing and industry relations. “We encourage chefs and companies around the country to begin thinking about next year’s nominations.” Nominations for the 2009 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award program will open next fall.
