WASHINGTON, D.C. – Six of the country’s most exciting chefs and foodservice professionals representing an array of culinary styles and backgrounds will be honored this May as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program. Sponsored by Pro*Act LLC, and now in its fifth year, the program honors chefs and their companies for their innovative and influential use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. The United Fresh Produce Association will formally recognize the six winners at United Fresh 2012, the association’s annual convention and expo in Dallas, May 1-3.
“For five years now, we at Pro*Act continue to be amazed at the creativity, dedication and insight shown by the honorees in this program,” said Pro*Act President Max Yeater. “We are so proud to be a sponsor of the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards and we thank all of the nominees and all of the chefs who work so hard to help further the goal of increased consumption of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables.”
“Foodservice operators play such an important role in our industry, showcasing fresh produce in new and exciting ways every day. This group of winners stands out as this year’s leaders in featuring fresh fruits and vegetables on their menus,” said United Fresh President Tom Stenzel. “We appreciate their tremendous commitment to our industry and recognize Pro*Act’s generous support in honoring these winners and their positive impact on our nation’s dining habits.”
The 2012 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners are:
•Business in Industry & Colleges: Chef David Kramer, Chef Instructor, College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL
•Casual & Family Dining Restaurants: Chef Michael Stebner, Director of Culinary, True Food Kitchen, Scottsdale, AZ
•Fine Dining Restaurants: Chef Brian Scheehser, Trellis Restaurant, Kirkland, WA
•Hotels & Healthcare: Chef Christophe Depuichaffray, Area Executive Chef, InterContinental Mark Hopkins and Hotel InterContinental San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
•K-12 School Foodservice: Jessica Shelly, Director of Food Services, Cincinnati Public Schools, Cincinnati, OH
•Quick Service Restaurants, John Hughes, Senior Vice President & Director of Training, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Manasquan, NJ
The six winners were selected from nearly 120 nominations submitted by produce companies and foodservice operations across North America. A panel of produce and foodservice industry leaders reviewed each nominee’s demonstrated incorporation of fresh produce into menu development, use of protocols for correct storage and handling of produce, leadership in produce related community service and special events and recognition by their company and industry peers.
The six winners, along with an executive from their company, will attend United Fresh 2012 in Dallas. All six winners will participate in panel session, Top Chefs! Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Winners which will take place on Wednesday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. For those not able to attend, a recording of the session will be posted on UnitedFresh.TV.
For more information on the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award program, please contact Miriam Miller Wolk at 202-303-3410.
Founded in 1998, the United Fresh Produce Association Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization committed to meeting the public’s needs for an abundant supply of healthy, safe and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. The Foundation is dedicated to increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables to children as a critical step in combating childhood obesity and launching a lifetime of healthy choices. To assist industry members in meeting these goals, the Foundation offers educational programs, leadership development, public outreach, and industry training through four different Centers — Center for Leadership Excellence, Center for Nutrition and Health, Center for Food Safety and Quality, and Center for Global Produce Sustainability. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.
About PRO*ACT: PRO*ACT is America’s leading distributor of fresh produce to the foodservice industry sourcing from premier national and regional farmers. PRO*ACT streamlines the produce supply chain, offering significant cost benefits and an easy, one-call solution to source the freshest produce from more than 70 third-party inspected, independently owned, local distribution centers across the United States and Canada. PRO*ACT provides category cost management through commodity contract pricing, in-house consultation services and integrated produce program distribution management.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association Foundation
