BOISE, ID - McDonald’s is highlighting what it is that makes its french fries “world famous,” in a video installment of a series called “What’s Cooking Across America at McDonald’s,” shining a light on Idaho potato farmers.
McDonald’s Executive Chef Dan Coudreaut and Director of Culinary Innovation Chef Jessica Foust went to the farms themselves for the feature.
“When you think of McDonald’s, you think of our world famous french fries,” Chef Coudreaut narrates. “They were on our very first menu, and our fries have been a favorite ever since.”
The chef continues by saying that great french fries start with great potatoes, introducing us to one of the global food chain’s suppliers, Idaho-based grower and Owner of Noble Farms, Mark Noble.
“We’ve been doing it like this for quite a few years,” Mark says of the quality potatoes, explaining to the watchers what makes a perfect potato as Chef Coudreaut emphasizes the importance of the ties between the restaurant and the farm, the grower to the consumer.
The video was released on November 11, listing such facts as; Idaho farmers plant 320,000 acres of potatoes every spring, and that Idaho’s “rich soil, sunny days, and cool nights create the perfect growing conditions” for the produce.
Watch the one 1 minute, 34 second production yourself below.
The video highlights those “hands in the dirt” shots of harvest, potatoes right out of the ground, and Mark himself sifting the dirt, with his voice answering the foodservice chefs' questions, particularly highlighting Russet Burbanks.
The video transitions into a soft-lit McDonald’s kitchen that highlights a healthy approach to french fries, like the use of vegetable oil and no trans fats.
