WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms has reported robust success with its new national Chef Invitational. In its inaugural year, the berry provider has received enthusiastic participation from national and regional foodservice organizations—with participation from companies including Markon, Performance Food Group, Produce Alliance, Renaissance Food Group, Sysco, and US Foods.
“We are pleased with the recipes we have already received from chefs and look forward to seeing all the great new and different ideas submitted by this wide network of professionals” said Tom Smith, Director of Foodservice, in a press release. “There is so much talent in our industry, we know as an annual event this will continue to build relationships, innovation, and increased usage of our brand of berries.”
According to California Giant’s press release, Smith and the company launched the Chef Invitational in March to further cement relationships with key members of the foodservice industry, as well as recognize their talented chefs that create innovative recipes with California Giant brand berries.
Each participating distributor company invited chefs within their network to participate by creating new recipes featuring California Giant brand berries. Companies are invited to submit multiple chef entries in the competition by May 18, 2018, for judging, with hopes of being one of the six coveted finalists.
Finalists will travel to Monterey, California’s Tehama Golf Club to compete for the title of Top Chef in a climactic showdown on July 10, 2018.
“We expect a group of about 50 people from industry, trade press and sponsoring foodservice companies to attend and enjoy the ocean view while tasting the innovative berry offerings, sipping wine, and following up with a delicious local cheese or chocolate” added Smith.
At the event, chefs will prepare their recipe entry after field tours and social events. Judges for the showdown will include professional chefs from the Monterey and Carmel area and a representative from the trade press. The chef showdown will also feature sponsors from the Monterey area serving local wines, cheeses, olive oil, and chocolate while guests have the chance to watch each chef in action.
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