FAIRFIELD, NJ – Chef Tom Connin, with more than 30 years of specialty food-service experience, joins ANCO Fine Cheese as corporate chef. His responsibilities will include creating new recipes, sharing cheese and wine/food pairing tips, conducting demos, and hosting special events.
Connin's hiring is designed to educate the consumer about specialty cheeses, enhancing ANCO's mission to "Bring the Knowledge, Share the Passion."
"ANCO is a perfect fit for me," said Connin. "ANCO is passionate about its fine cheeses, and I am passionate about fine food. In my new role, I will be able to share my love of food – and my appreciation of the finest cheeses – with others."
Connin has extensive experience working with finer cheeses. He served as a guest chef instructor for Cheese Basics at the Art Institute of Colorado Culinary Arts and Johnson & Wales Culinary School. He also was a guest chef instructor for Colorado Mountain College's Cheese 101 course.
He will draw on his foundation of culinary techniques and in-depth cheese knowledge to work with other food-service professionals, such as national and regional accounts. "I'm looking forward to working together with my colleagues," Connin said.
Connin also spent 10 years of his career as a food-service broker, working with specialty products (wild game, truffles, vinegars, fresh pasta, chocolate and charcuterie). His primary focus, however, has been specialty imported cheeses. He has worked with specialty distribution at all levels – sales force, marketing and purchasing – bringing valuable insight into the sales process from all perspectives.
He will help those in the field expand upon their use of ANCO cheeses, brainstorm new recipes, design appealing displays, and help them manage inventory and implement cost controls.
Connin served as chef for a large natural foods grocery chain and for top social caterers, and volunteered for10 years on the Culinary Committee at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic. In addition, he has had published reviews by publications including The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Denver Post and Washingtonian Magazine.
For more information on ANCO fine cheeses, contact ANCO at 973-575-3226..
About ANCO
ANCO Fine Cheese is one of the largest importers of specialty cheese in the U.S., importing from more than 20 countries. A fully integrated company, ANCO has six warehouses, a complete range of import licenses, full-service logistics and distribution, as well as a retail and food-service sales force. Visit ANCO online at http:// www.ancofinecheese.com/.
Source: ANCO
