Fresh Produce Excellence To Earn Chefs Top Honors At United Fresh 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – 2012 marks the fifth anniversary the United Fresh Foundation’s Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program, which honors the foodservice industry’s most innovative produce performers.

“This program is a real triumph for chefs and the fresh produce industry,” said United Retail-Foodservice Board Chairman Mitch Smith, director, U.S. Quality Systems Agricultural Products for McDonald's Corporation. “It showcases the incredible ways that chefs utilize fresh produce to delight consumers with creative and delicious menu offerings and increase fresh produce consumption through all sectors of the restaurant and foodservice industries.”

The program, sponsored by Pro*Act, LLC, since its launch in 2008, has honored 21 chefs and foodservice operations for their exceptional work in incorporating fresh produce in menu development, proper food safety and handling, engaging in community outreach, and building an overall positive dining experience featuring fresh produce.

In 2012, six winning chefs will be honored in each the following business categories: Fine Dining Restaurants, Casual and Family Dining Restaurants, Quick Serve Restaurants, Business in Industry & Colleges Hotels & Healthcare Industry, and K-12 Foodservice. Winners are selected by a panel of United Fresh member representatives focused on excellence in the foodservice sector. Nominations must be submitted before January 16, 2012; nomination information is available online at www.unitedfresh.org/programs/foodservice_award.

“In the foodservice business, the menu that a chef develops is at the heart of the dining experience,” said Max Yeater, President of Pro*Act. “We are proud to continue to support this program which honors chefs who make fresh produce an integral part of their menus.”

The six winning chefs and their corporate executives receive complimentary airfare, hotel accommodations and registrations to United Fresh 2012, May 1-3 in Dallas. The winners will be honored at the Annual Awards Banquet, and the chefs will also participate in the education program at United Fresh 2012 to share their views on produce trends in foodservice. Pro*Act will also make a donation to a charitable organization of each winner’s choice.

“There are thousands of talented chefs who work hard every day to find new and exciting ways to present fresh produce to diners,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president and CEO. “With Pro*Act’s generous support, we are proud to honor those chefs who are committed to treating produce as the centerpiece of the meal.”

The 2011 winners in each category were:

• Business in Industry & Colleges: Chef Martin Breslin, Director of Culinary Operations, Harvard University Dining Services, Cambridge, Mass.
• Casual and Family Dining Restaurants: Chef Regis Holden, Senior Director of Culinary Services, Eat'n Park Restaurants, Homestead, Pa.
• Fine Dining Restaurants: Chef Clifford Pleau, Senior Director, Culinary and Beverage, Seasons 52 Restaurants, Orlando, Fla.
• Hotels & Healthcare: Chef Jacques Wilson, Executive Chef, El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, Calif.
• K-12 School Foodservice: Jenilee McComb, Director, Child Nutrition Program, Provo School District, Provo, Utah
• Quick Service Restaurants: Chef Dan Barash, Executive Chef, Moe's Southwest Grill, Atlanta, Ga.

For more information about the award program, please contact Miriam Wolk, United Fresh senior director of membership, at mwolk@unitedfresh.org, or 202-303-3400 ext. 410.

The United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program is generously sponsored by Pro*Act, LLC.

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