California Giant Berry Farms is accepting entries for its annual Chef Invitational. Now in its 5th year, the California Giant Chef Invitational is a nationwide culinary competition that calls upon chefs to think outside the box and create innovative, original dishes featuring fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries as the hero of the plate.
Left: Derek Seigfried, winner of last year's California Giant Berry Farms’ Top Chef; right: Tom Smith.
The event invites foodservice, corporate and restaurant chefs to compete by submitting a main dish recipe that showcases the versatility of fresh berries. Unique to 2023’s submission guidelines is the requirement for the recipe to fall under one or more of the key trends as identified by Flavor & the Menu, including:
- Asian Breakfast Wakes Up
- Mustard's Moment
- The Dark Side of Butter
- True Colors
- Time for Thai
A panel of judges will determine a group of semi-finalists whose recipes will progress to a public voting round via the website to determine the People’s Choice Award winner.
The People’s Choice Winner and Chef Invitational Finalists will travel to California’s Central Coast at the end of June to tour various California Giant fields and facilities, enjoy varietal tastings, meal events and more. Following the tours and educational activities, the finalists will present their dishes to guests and a panel of judges during an exclusive event that will occur on June 28th, where the Top Chef title will be determined.
Seigfried's winning recipe for Blackberry Lamb Kofta.
The Top Chef will receive a $1,000 check, as well as a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. The Top Chef will have the opportunity to serve as the company’s Chef Ambassador through a variety of in-person and virtual engagements. The People’s Choice Winner will receive a $500 check and a donation of $500 to the charity of their choice.
“We’re thrilled to host our 5th annual Chef Invitational,” said Tom Smith, director of sales at California Giant Berry Farms. “With our revamped, trend-focused guidelines, we’re excited to see what innovative berry applications chefs bring to the table.”
The California Giant Berry Farms Chef Invitational continues to garner more awareness of the brand and highlight the abundant talent within the foodservice industry.
Click here for more information on applying to the 2023 California Giant Chef Invitational and to read the full guidelines for entry.
For more information:
Kyla Oberman
California Giant Berry Farms
Tel.: +1 (831) 786-7458
koberman@calgiant.com
https://www.calgiant.com/