Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Winners Announced at United Fresh 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – Five chefs from across the country and throughout the industry received top honors in the 2010 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program at United Fresh 2010, the annual convention and expo of the United Fresh Produce Association, April 20-23 in Las Vegas. Sponsored by Pro*Act, LLC, the program honors chefs and their companies for the innovative and influential use of fresh produce in the culinary arts.
         
The program included complimentary travel to Las Vegas for United Fresh 2010 for the winning chef and an additional company representative. During their time at the show, the chefs had an opportunity to walk the expo floor and meet with exhibitors, attend educational programs and network with attendees. As a part of the program, the chefs took part in a roundtable discussion to share their insights and ideas on how to integrate fresh produce into menus. Topics discussed included current and emerging trends for fresh produce, how the economy has impacted foodservice and fresh produce, and how chefs and produce distributors can work together to enhance their relationships.         

To cap off the program, the five chefs were formally honored at the Annual Awards Banquet on April 22. During the evening’s festivities, Pro*Act President and CEO Steve Grinstead praised the chefs for their “tremendous commitment to using fresh produce to create exciting and healthy menu items,” adding that “the insights they shared with United’s attendees on the use of produce in menu design will help all of us with the mission of increasing produce consumption.”          

In addition, Grinstead announced that Pro*Act will make a donation in each chefs’ names to the charity of their choice.         

“This has always been a great program that pays special attention to the people that work so hard to help put our industry’s best foot forward at the foodservice level,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “We are proud to honor them each year, and thank Pro*Act for their generous sponsorship and help recognizing these influential industry ambassadors.”         

Out of a pool of nearly 100 nominations, winners were selected in five business categories based on how each nominee incorporates fresh produce into menu development, uses protocols for correct storage and handling of produce, shows leadership in produce related community service and special events and builds an overall positive dining experience featuring fresh produce.        

 The 2010 winners in each category were:

Business in Industry & Colleges:
Chef Fred Reynaud, Corporate Executive Chef, Guest Services, Inc., Fairfax, Va.

Casual & Family Dining:
Chef Christopher Jackson, Executive Chef and Owner, Ted & Honey, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Fine Dining:
Chef Sydney Meers, Chef/Owner, Stove, The Restaurant, Portsmouth, Va.

Hotels & Healthcare:
Chef Michael Reich, Executive Chef, Renaissance Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Ill.

Quick Service:
Chef Thomas John, Senior Vice President and Executive Chef, Au Bon Pain, Boston, Mass.