California Giant Berry Farms Launches 4th Annual Chef Invitational; Tom Smith Shares
WATSONVILLE, CA - Calling all chefs, creators, and culinarians! The time to prove your cooking skills is nigh. California Giant Berry Farms is launching its 4th annual California Giant Chef Invitational, 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.
“We’re thrilled to be returning for an in-person Chef Invitational,” said Tom Smith, Director of Sales at California Giant Berry Farms. “The foodservice industry suffered during the pandemic. With the return to in-person events—and the rise of dining in-person— we are excited to provide a platform to the many talented chefs in our industry to showcase their skills through innovative applications using berries.”
Now accepting entries, the 4th annual event invites foodservice partners, corporate chefs, restaurant chefs, and beyond to compete by submitting a main dish recipe that showcases the versatility of fresh berries. The California Giant Berry Farms Chef Invitational continues to garner more brand awareness and highlight the abundant talent within the foodservice industry.
A panel of judges will determine a group of semi-finalists whose recipes will progress to a public voting round via the supplier’s website to determine the People’s Choice Award winner, as well as additional finalists.
The People’s Choice Winner and Chef Invitational Finalists will travel to California’s Central Coast at the end of August to tour various California Giant fields and facilities, enjoy varietal tastings, meal events, and more. Following the tours and educational activities, noted the release, the finalists will present their dishes to guests and a panel of judges during an exclusive event that will occur on August 30–31, 2022, where the winner of the Top Chef title will be determined.
At the event, the Top Chef will receive a $1,000 check, a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice, and a commemorative plaque. The Top Chef will be invited to travel and represent California Giant at the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show in Orlando, Florida, in October and serve as the company’s Chef Ambassador. Additionally, the People’s Choice Winner will receive a $500 check and a donation of $500 to the charity of their choice.
Chefs are encouraged to enter their extraordinary creations before the submission deadline of June 24, 2022.
Let the showdown begin! We look forward to seeing the unique dishes that are submitted this year and can’t wait to report on the results.
