California Giant courting top chefs
Watsonville, Calif.-based California Giant Berry Farms is now accepting entries for its annual California Giant Chef Invitational. Now in its fourth 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.
The Chef Invitational invites foodservice partners, corporate chefs, restaurant chefs and beyond to compete by submitting a main dish recipe that showcases the versatility of fresh berries. Chefs are encouraged to enter their creations before the submission deadline of June 24.
The top chef will receive a $1,000 check, a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice and a commemorative plaque. The people’s choice winner will receive a $500 check and a donation of $500 to the charity of their choice.
The top chef will be invited to travel and represent California Giant at the International Fresh Produce Association global produce and floral show, set for October in Orlando.
The people’s choice winner and chef invitational finalists will travel to California’s central coast at the end of August to tour California Giant fields and facilities and enjoy varietal tastings and multiple meal events.
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 Aug. 30-31 where the winner of the Top Chef title will be determined.
“We’re thrilled to be returning for an in-person chef invitational,” Tom Smith, director of sales at California Giant Berry Farms, said. “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 with berries.”
For more information on how to apply to the 2022 California Giant Chef Invitational, visit https://promos.calgiant.com/chef-invitational-2022.
