2017 PRODUCEEXCELLENCE INFOODSERVICEAWARDS PROGRAM

Honoring the Use of Fresh Produce in the Culinary Arts

Sponsored by:

NOMINATE A CHEF TODAY! Winners Recognized at the

United Fresh 2017 ConventionJune 13-15 | Chicago, IL

YEAR10THCELEBRATING OUR

HONORING TOP CHEFS NATIONWIDEThe United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program, now in its tenth year, pays special tribute to chefs and foodservice operations for excellence in the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts.

WHY PARTICIPATE?By participating in this program, you have an opportunity to honor chefs – leaders in integrating and elevating the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. This is your opportunity to recognize the chefs and culinary professionals who delight consumers with fresh produce on their menus.

Winning chefs receive VIP access to the United Fresh convention and trade show floor. When you nominate a chef, you’re offering them an opportunity to further enhance their produce knowledge, engage with produce leaders, and experience the newest products at the United Fresh 2017.

Honor the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. Nominate an outstanding chef today!

HOW TO NOMINATE A CHEF1. Submit a nomination form online:

www.unitedfresh.org/fsa2. Nominations are accepted for each of the following

eight business categories.

3. Nominees must have company approval to attend United Fresh 2017

4. Nominations must be received no later than January 15, 2017

Winners and an accompanying corporate executive will attend United Fresh 2017 Convention inChicago and will be recognized onstage at the Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner.

• Business in Industry• Casual & Family Dining

Restaurants• Colleges & Universities• Fine Dining Restaurants

• Hospitals & Healthcare• Hotels & Resorts• K-12 School Foodservice• Quick Service Restaurants

SELECTION CRITERIA A panel of produce foodservice experts will evaluate nominees on the following criteria, selecting seven winners, one for each business category:

• Creativity in using fresh produce in concept development and menu design, including the ability to incorporate produce into culinary trends

• Knowledge and use of proper fresh produce handling procedures

• Produce-related outreach or special events, such as community service projects, local educational outreach, etc.

• Recognition among peers and/or by their company, such as awards, additional responsibilities, and training

THE UNITED FRESH EXPERIENCEUnited Fresh 2017 is the industry’s major destination event — the place where leaders go to connect with industry friends and colleagues, see cutting-edge products and services and make purchasing decisions. Co-located with the International Floriculture Expo and the Global Cold Chain Expo, the United Fresh 2017 Convention brings together retail, fresh produce, floral leaders and technology experts who are seeking tangible solutions, searching for unique products and looking to enhance relationships with valuable business partners.

LEADERSHIP The 2017 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners will take center stage and receive recognition for their great accomplishments at the

Retail-Foodservice Celebration Dinner. This evening of celebration is attended by the industry’s top leaders who want to further spotlight the commitments made by the 2017 winners in an

effort to increase consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.

EDUCATIONThe 2017 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners will participate in a Fresh Marketplace education panel discussion where they will share their produce culinary experiences with produce industry professionals looking to better understand the foodservice environment and how to engage diners. Winners will also have the opportunity to observe education sessions focusing on foodservice trends, as well as United Fresh keynote general sessions featuring visionary leaders.

ABOUT THE UNITED FRESH 2017 CONVENTION: WWW.UNITEDFRESHSHOW.ORG

For more information about the nominations process, contact United Fresh at 202-303-3400 or united@unitedfresh.org.

SELECTION CRITERIA A panel of produce foodservice experts will evaluate nominees on the following criteria, selecting seven winners, one for each business category:

• Creativity in using fresh produce in concept development and menu design, including the ability to incorporate produce into culinary trends

• Knowledge and use of proper fresh produce handling procedures

• Produce-related outreach or special events, such as community service projects, local educational outreach, etc.

• Recognition among peers and/or by their company, such as awards, additional responsibilities, and training

RULES • Winners and an accompanying corporate executive must

attend United Fresh 2017 in order to participate in this program

• Nominations must be received no later than January 15, 2017

The eight winning Chefs AND their accompanying corporate executive will both receive:

• Complimentary roundtrip airfare and registration for the United Fresh 2017 Convention

• Two nights of hotel accommodations

THE UNITED FRESH EXPERIENCEUnited Fresh 2017 is the industry’s major destination event — the place where leaders go to connect with industry friends and colleagues, see cutting-edge products and services and make purchasing decisions. Co-located with the International Floriculture Expo and the Global Cold Chain Expo, the United Fresh 2017 Convention brings together retail, fresh produce, floral leaders and technology experts who are seeking tangible solutions, searching for unique products and looking to enhance relationships with valuable business partners.

EDUCATIONThe 2017 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners will participate in a Fresh Marketplace education panel discussion where they will share their produce culinary experiences with produce industry professionals looking to better understand the foodservice environment and how to engage diners. Winners will also have the opportunity to observe education sessions focusing on foodservice trends, as well as United Fresh keynote general sessions featuring visionary leaders.

NETWORKINGThe 2017 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners will have the opportunity to interact with United Fresh attendees and exhibitors and learn about the latest produce offerings that can enhance their menus. They’ll attend networking events on and off the show floor, engage with produce exhibitors, sample fresh fruit and vegetable items and see new products being offered by the industry.

ABOUT THE UNITED FRESH 2017 CONVENTION: WWW.UNITEDFRESHSHOW.ORG

For more information about the nominations process, contact United Fresh at 202-303-3400 or united@unitedfresh.org.

2016 AWARD WINNERSBusiness in IndustryChef Elijah Coe, Executive, Chef Café 16; Chef Zach Therioakes, Executive Chef, Studio H Café; and Chef Craig Tarrant, Culinary Director, Dining at Microsoft, Redmond, WA

Casual and Family Dining Restaurants Chef Steven Sturm, Corporate Executive Chef, Firebirds Restaurants, Charlotte, NC

Colleges and Universities Chef Anthony Lauri, CEC, AAC, ACE, Executive Chef, Chartwells at University of Miami, Miami, FL

Fine Dining Restaurants Chef Leonard Hollander, Arbor, Chicago, IL

Hotels & Healthcare Chef Nazim Khan, CEC, Executive Chef, Bryan Health System, Lincoln, NE

K-12 School Foodservice Marilyn Hughes, PhD, RD, Director of Nutrition Department, Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta, GA

Quick Service Restaurants Chef Oliver Plust, Executive Chef and General Manager, Tender Greens Hollywood, Hollywood, CA

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRODUCE EXCELLENCE IN FOODSERVICE AWARDS SPONSOR:The United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program is sponsored by PRO*ACT, LLC, a leading distributor of fresh produce to the foodservice industry.

Learn more at www.proactusa.com

ABOUT UNITED FRESHFounded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. We empower industry leaders to shape sound government policy. We deliver the resources and expertise companies need to succeed in managing complex business and technical issues. We provide the training and development individuals need to advance their careers in produce. Through these endeavors, we unite out industry with a common purpose – to build long-term value for our members and grow produce consumption.

If you have an outstanding Chef on your foodservice team, nominate them today!

www.unitedfresh.org

PAST WINNERSArborAtlanta Public SchoolsAu Bon PainBakersfield City School Districtbig Burrito Restaurant GroupBlue Cross Blue ShieldBrigham Young UniversityBryan Health SystemCafé ZupasChef MavroChick-fil-A, Inc.Cincinnati Public SchoolsCollege of DuPageDouglas County School DistrictEat Good/Wandering TableEat’n Park RestaurantsEl Camino HospitalElephant Bar RestaurantEncinitas Union School DistrictFirebirds RestaurantsGuest Services, Inc.

Harvard UniversityThe Inn at Virgina Tech/Skelton Conference CenterInterContinental Mark Hopkins/Hotel InterContinental San FranciscoJersey Mike’s SubsOld Dominion UniversityOriole Park at Camden YardsMcDonald’sMicrosoftMoe’s Southwest GrillMontrio BistroThe Palace GroupPinnacle Entertainment CompanyPeconic LandingPrasino’sProvo School DistrictRenaissance Chicago Hotel

Ritz Carlton Amelia IslandSeasons 52Silver DinerSt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalStanford UniversityStoveTD AmeritradeTed & HoneyTed’s Montana GrillTender GreensTownHallTrellis RestaurantTrue Food KitchenUniversity of MiamiUniversity of RichmondWhich WichYard House