As fresh produce becomes more and more a center plate item, growers are looking for varieties that will stand out and Gunrock Management has just added a new item to that list. Enter the Masquerade Potato. A stunning yellow skinned potato wrapped in a purple mask. Gunrock has combined the beauty of a two color skin and the refreshing known robust flavor of a russet. No flavor surprise, the Masquerade is comfort food art.
Developed by the potato breeding program at Colorado State University’s San Luis Research Center, the Masquerade Baker is not a GMO. It is the natural result of breeding two older varieties. Gunrock Management has purchased the rights to grow this potato. Over the past two years other growers have beta tested the product but for the 2015 season Gunrock will handle the Masquerade potato exclusively.
“We are very excited about this potato,” explained Doug Gunnels of Gunrock Management. “Our team is constantly looking to new varieties that will be good for the industry and the consumer. We believe that the Masquerade is a winner.”
Sheldon Rockey, one of the growers of the Masquerade Potato for Gunrock believes in the product as well. “While there have been a few varieties of the yellow/purple skinned potatoes available on the market, the Masquerade is very consistent in its markings, including the signature purple circle around the yellow skin creating the mask.”
Best baked with its skin on to show off its beauty, the Masquerade potato is great for soups and hash browns as well. Restaurants are using the Masquerade as a plate center, filled with roasted veggies surrounded beef, chicken, pork, or seafood. A beautiful presentation with a reasonable cost, exactly what our market needs.
Masquerade potatoes are packed in 50# and 20# bulk for foodservice and retail. They are sized as A’s and B’s. A retail pack is in development and will be ready for the 2015 season. Loading is out of Colorado, California, and Pennsylvania. Sales are handled by Culinary Specialty Produce. For more information please contact Richard or Mark at 908-789-4700.
Source: Culinary Specialty Produce
