IFPA Names 2023 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Winners to be honored at Foodservice Conference

May 3, 2023

Washington, DC and Newark, DE -- International Fresh Produce Association will celebrate nine of the country's leading chefs and foodservice professionals during IFPA's Foodservice Conference, July 27-28 in Monterey, CA, as part of the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program, sponsored by FreshEdge®.

The program honors chefs and foodservice operations for their produce innovation, creativity, and all-around excellence in the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts.

“Fresh produce continues to drive success for the foodservice and culinary sectors, and chefs play a critical role in encouraging consumers to explore produce items,” said Greg Corsaro, President and COO, FreshEdge. “We are proud of our continued commitment to this exceptional program that honors culinary professionals who are making fresh produce the highlight of their menus.”

The 2023 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards winners are:

Business and Industry: Jeffery David Marlow, Chief Culinary Officer - Executive Vice President, Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
Casual & Family Dining Restaurants: Jason Smith, Chef Proprietor, 18 Restaurant Group
Colleges & Universities: Travis Robert Johnson, Senior Executive Chef, Levy Restaurants at Notre Dame
Fine Dining Restaurants: Maggie Trujillo, Culinary Director / Chef, Aqua by El Gaucho
Hospitals & Healthcare: Santana Diaz, Director of Culinary Operations and Innovation, UC Davis Health/Hospital
Hotels & Resorts: Abel Ace Cabral, Executive Chef, The Grove Country Club
K-12 School Foodservice: Jeanne Reilly, Director of School Nutrition, RSU #14 Windham Raymond Schools
Quick Service Restaurants: Kyle Markt, Head Chef, Farmer’s Fridge
Supermarkets & Retail Operators: Maria Schlueter, Culinary Manager, Oryana Co Op

This year’s winners were selected from nominations submitted by produce companies and foodservice operations. IFPA coordinated a review of each nominee's incorporation and creativity of fresh produce into menu development, use of food safety protocols for proper produce storage and handling, produce-related outreach or special events, and recognition among peers and/or by their company.

The nine winners, along with an executive from their company, will participate in IFPA's Foodservice Conference, July 27-28 in Monterey, CA. They will be presented with their awards as part of the event’s programming.

For more information about the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program, contact Amy Marshall, IFPA's Retail & Foodservice Manager, at (302) 607-2108.

IFPA Names 2023 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Winners to be honored at Foodservice Conference

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