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Online Feature: Farm Chef

Chef Daniel Orr returns home to Indiana
by Abbie Jarman

As part of the increased interest in local and organic foods, it’s common nowadays for chefs to reach out to farmers. But Daniel Orr, chef and owner of FARMbloomington, Bloomington, Ind. (www.farm-bloomington.com), has an even closer connection to our country’s food producers: his own family’s farm in Southern Indiana. It was this farm that drew him back to his home state after a decade and a half in New York City—that, and the sense of community that revolves around this vital industry....More

Online exclusive: Cut costs with PanSaver

M&Q Packaging Corporation offers a unique way to cut costs with PanSaver® Ovenable (400°F) Pan Liners. Available in 22 sizes, PanSaver liners are made from the same material as oven roasting bags, however they are tailored to fit commercial foodservice pans. PanSaver prevents hot food from baking and scorching on to the pans, which not only streamlines cleanup time – it has also been proven to keep food holding temperatures an average of 20°F warmer than food held in unlined pans. PanSaver eliminates the direct-food-to-hot-metal contact which retains the moisture of food. Moisture is not only flavor – it is also heat...More

Ocean Spray launches Cranberry Recipe Contest

Ocean Spray is seeking original cranberry recipes from those passionate about the little, red wonder-berry for the Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest. Novices to skilled experts across the country are asked to cook up, mix up and serve up their best cranberry-inspired ideas for a chance at $25,000 for the winning recipe. Cranberry contest hopefuls can enter starting today, March 14, 2008, at www.oceanspray.com (for home cooks) or www.oceansprayfoodservice.com (for foodservice professionals).

Recipes must be original, use Ocean Spray products and can be entered in a variety of categories ranging from beverages to baked goods. Recipes will be judged on creativity, use of product, taste, overall appearance and ease of preparation. Each finalist recipe will be featured on www.oceanspray.com. For more details, official entry guidelines and contest deadlines for the Ultimate Cranberry Recipe Contest and the 2007 finalist recipes, visit www.oceansprayfoodservice.com.

Dole Raises the Bar beverage competition

Bartender, bar chef, barista, F&B staff or operator,this spring Dole offers an outstanding opportunity to swap cash for liquid creativity.Beginning April 1, Dole challenges beverage professionals and enthusiasts in every foodservice segment to muddle, infuse, puree, blend, shake and mix DOLE Fresh Frozen Fruits and/or DOLE Pineapple Juice into dazzling Signature Cocktails, Blender Drinks or Dessert Drinks in the first DOLE Raises the Bar Beverage Competition.Contestants will vie for a Grand Prize of $5000 and a Vita-Mix blender in two categories: alcohol and alcohol-free.

Entries may be submitted between April 1-June 15, 2008. Competitors must use at least one DOLE Frozen Fruit and/or DOLE Pineapple Juice in each beverage formula.A panel of professional judges will evaluate all entries according to published competition rules and criteria. Prize winners will be announced on or around July 15,2008. To view the DOLE Raises the Bar contest rules and prize levels, and to download an entry form, visit www.dolefoodservice.com/beveragecontest.

Sam's Club introduces spring catering program

Sam's Club is partnering with independent caterers to help grow their businesses during one of their busiest times of the year. Its spring catering program aligns caterers with relevant services, ideas and products, both in-club and within the marketplace.

A key component of the Sam's Club catering program is an occasion-based spring catering brochure featuring solutions for successful menu planning and event execution through the busy spring catering season. Focusing on Cinco de Mayo, spring brunch, and wedding receptions, the brochure features tips covering a range of topics such as tabletop and décor, keeping costs down, attracting return clients, and more.

Sam's Club not only provides ideas for having a successful spring catering season, but also provides the means with which to do it. This includes all the food, tools, and supplies caterers need at everyday low prices with no purchase minimums or requirements.

Business Members also benefit from exclusive extended Gold Key Hours, Click'n'Pull and Fax'n'Pull convenient ordering services, credit-card processing, and savings on printing services with FedEx and FedEx Kinko's. For more information, visit samsclub.com/entertaining.

Barry Callebaut to open its first U.S. Chocolate Academy, Sept. 2008

Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate, announced that it will open a Chocolate Academy in Chicago as part of its commitment to building its business in North America and strengthening its relationships with chocolatiers and chefs in the United States.

The Chocolate Academy, the only one of its kind with worldwide locations, offers a diverse range of seminars, demonstrations, theoretical courses and practical workshops designed to inspire artisans and culinary professionals, including pastry chefs, confectioners, bakers and caterers from around the globe. The state-of-the-art, 8,500-square-foot training center in Chicago, which will be the 10th Chocolate Academy location, will showcase the knowledge that has been accumulated by Barry Callebaut and will encourage the exchange of technical expertise in the handling of chocolate between professionals.

The new Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy will be located at 600 W. Chicago Ave., in Chicago. For more information on Barry Callebaut's Chocolate Academies, visit www.barry-callebaut.com.

Frymaster nominated, Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

Frymaster, LLC, an Enodis company, was among 21 Louisiana employers nominated by state Guard and Reserve personnel for consideration for the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. The award is the highest recognition given by the Federal government to employers exhibiting exceptional support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. More than 2,000 nominations were received nationwide.

"This nomination means so much to our company," said Gene Baugh, president of Frymaster. "We do our best to support our associates and their families when military service calls. It's a very challenging time and we want them to know that we, as a corporate family, support them at home."

A national selection board of senior defense officials and business leaders will select up to 15 recipients nationwide. Winners will be honored by the Department of Defense this summer and fall in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about Frymaster, visit www.frymaster.com or call (800) 221-4583.

Famous Dave's announces annual award-winners

Famous Dave's of America chief operating officer Christopher O'Donnell recently announced the winners of the annual awards presented at the recent Famous Dave's Franchise Partner Conference and the General Manager Workshops. Among the recipients of the 2008 awards were Bill Ferguson's Basic Food Group in Colorado for Franchisee of the Year, Star Ribs on the west coast for Area Developer of the Year and the Famous Dave's of Louisville, Ken., owned by Derby Dave's, for Restaurant of the Year. Famous Dave's also presented Famous Five Dining of Nashville, Tenn., with the Community Involvement Award and named American Pride Seafood its Supplier of the Year.

"It's one of the highlights of the year at Famous Dave's when we get to recognize the great accomplishments of our franchisees, our general managers and our suppliers," said O'Donnell. "Each award winner makes great contributions to promoting our brand, and they serve as role models for our entire organization."

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que features award-winning hickory-smoked St. Louis-style spare ribs, Texas beef brisket, Georgia chopped pork and a variety of Famous Dave's regional barbecue sauces. For more information, visit www.famousdaves.com.

FIA links with Hire Heroes USA

The Foodservice Institute of America (FIA) is collaborating with Hire Heroes USA (www.hireheroesusa.org) to assist veterans find career opportunities within the foodservice industry. This alliance is a result of FIA's December 2007 Symposium, Foodservice Professionals ... the Next Generation. The interactive component of this program generated ideas to solve the growing issue of the lack of available personnel and talent across the foodservice industry. One viable solution was the recruitment of military veterans. An action team was formed to investigate opportunities and developed a working relationship with Hire Heroes USA.

Hire Heroes' mission is to be the bridge between returning soldiers and career opportunities across the country. These men and women could fill the numerous opportunities that are available in the foodservice industry.

For more information about the FIA-Hire Heroes USA alliance, contact Marsha Diamond, executive director, at (609) 645-3131 or (marsha@fia-us.org).