WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms has launched a national promotion for which it has invited foodservice companies to come out to Monterey this summer and participate in a Top Chef Invitational event. There, the company hopes to see a wide range of participation in the foodservice industry.

The event, which California Giant announced at SEPC last week, will be the first of its kind for the grower and is aimed to further cement relationships with key members of the foodservice industry and to recognize talented chefs who create innovative recipes with California Giant brand berries.

“We are very excited about this new event and the opportunity for California Giant to collaborate with our foodservice partners and their chefs! Anytime we can bring individuals together from every walk of life throughout the supply chain, we are going to learn from one another and build upon it,” said Tom Smith, Director of Foodservice.

The promotion will run through spring with foodservice partners submitting candidates for the finalist pool. On July 8-10, 2018 the selected finalist will compete at the Tehama Golf Club in Monterey, re-creating their winning recipes for a panel of judges and the chance to take home the Top Chef title. In addition to the competition, finalists will participate in private field tours and other events with local California Giant farmers.

“I especially look forward to hosting this group for a tour of our farms as I love to witness the first time someone tries a fresh strawberry from the field—their eyes just light up and a smile appears on their face. I believe I’ll have a similar experience when I try our berries in the chefs’ created dishes once we get to the competition kitchen,” Smith added.

The winner of the Chef Showdown will receive the following:

• An all-expense trip to Monterey, California, worth up to $3,000
• Publicity in both fresh produce trade press and a national wire release
• Paid registration to attend the PMA Foodservice Conference July 27 & 28 in Monterey, CA, with California Giant Berry Farms
• Their recipe featured at the California Giant booth during the PMA Foodservice Conference
• A crystal engraved award
• $250 cash

To follow the competition as it progresses, keep reading AndNowUKnow.

California Giant Berry Farms