WINTER SPRINGS, FL – The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) exhibited at PMA Foodservice for the first time in 2016. In addition to booth presence, the NWPB worked with Chef Jose Manuel Martinez, senior executive chef from University of California, Berkley, to develop innovative recipes using watermelon for the Sensory Experience Contest.
Chef Jose developed Watermelon Escabeche, which layered scallop ceviche, fresh watermelon, watermelon curtido, cilantro and was finished with rosewater infused foam. The recipe featured watermelon as a part of the ceviche, curtido, and foam, highlighting the different textures and flavors watermelon can bring to a dish. Although the ceviche, foam and fresh watermelon used the flesh, the curtido utilized the often wasted, watermelon rind. Chef Jose also developed Milk Pudding with Rose Jelly and Watermelon Salad. The Watermelon Escabeche was entered and was determined to be a finalist in the Sensory Experience Contest before the show.
Chef Jose was in the NWPB booth to serve the recipes to attendees and judges during the exposition. “Chef Jose’s creativity and passion for watermelon was apparent in the recipes as well as in his explanation of the dishes, especially the Escabeche,” said Megan McKenna, director of foodservice and marketing. “The attendees and judges had positive comments about the dynamic recipe and the multiple uses of watermelon throughout.” In the final hour of the show, the NWPB and Chef Jose’s Watermelon Escabeche was announced the winner of the Sensory Experience Contest.
The Board will continue to inspire and educate the foodservice audience to place more watermelon on foodservice menus, year-round. For more information on the NWPB foodservice initiatives, please contact Megan McKenna at mmckenna@watermelon.org.
About National Watermelon Promotion Board
The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 1,500 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.
Watermelon, the produce leader in lycopene, is a multivitamin unto itself, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamins A and C and a good source of Vitamin B6 with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 14.8 pounds in 2015. Watermelon volume in the United States was approximately 4.7 billion pounds in 2015. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.
Source: National Watermelon Promotion Board
