The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has named the winners of the 2024 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards.
Sponsored by FreshEdge, the awards program honors chefs and foodservice operators across the country for their produce innovation, creativity and all-around excellence in using fresh produce in the culinary arts.
Along with global exposure, the recipients also receive a trip to IFPA’s Foodservice Conference on July 25-26 in Monterey, California, where they will be honored on stage.
The nine chefs and foodservice professionals were nominated by their peers and evaluated on a certain set of criteria by a panel of produce industry judges.
“Fresh produce remains a key driver of success for the foodservice, retail, and culinary industries with chefs and foodservice professionals playing an essential role in encouraging consumers to explore new produce items,” said Greg Corsaro, president of FreshEdge. “We are proud to recognize another great group of pioneers.”
The nine winners of the 2024 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards are:
- Business and Industry: EJ Jimenez, executive chef and instructor, Rancho Cielo Youth Campus;
- Casual and Family Dining Restaurants: Grace Goudie, executive chef, Scratch Board Kitchen;
- Colleges and Universities: Jonathan Guitierrez Santiago, executive sous chef, University of California Merced/Yablokoff Wallace Dining Center;
- Fine Dining Restaurants: David Ruiz, executive chef, Scalo Restaurant;
- Hospitals and Healthcare: Roel Mesta, executive chef, The Village at Germantown;
- Hotel and Resort: Manfred Lassahn, executive chef, Hyatt Regency Hotels — Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa;
- K-12 Foodservice: Julie Raway, registered dietitian, Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES);
- Supermarket and Retail Operators: Dorene Mills, Hannaford chef, Hannaford Supermarkets; and
- Quick-Serve Restaurants: Chris Mayo, development manager, Wildflower.
More information on the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards program can be found on IFPA’s website.
Read more produce news from The Shelby Report.
