Press Releases
Winners Named in Search for the Seasoned Chef Recipe Contest
MINNEAPOLIS (June 18, 2007) –- Today Diamond Crystal® kosher salt announced the winners of the 2007 Search for the Seasoned Chef Recipe Contest. Sara Welch of Jacksonville, Fla. was named grand prize and entrée category winner, and Christen Roye, of Austin, Texas was named appetizer category winner. The future careers of the two chefs-in-training just got brighter because, as winners of the 2007 contest, both were awarded scholarships to pursue their culinary dreams, along with prizes for their original recipes using Diamond Crystal® kosher salt.
Established in 2003, the popular contest is designed to identify future leaders in the culinary industry. Entrants are asked to create and submit their best original recipe using 1 ½ tablespoons of Diamond Crystal® kosher salt as an ingredient. Applicants may enter recipes in the categories of appetizers, soups/stews or entrées. An independent panel of culinary experts selects the winning recipes based on taste, appearance, consumer appeal, creativity and appropriate use of Diamond Crystal® kosher salt.
“Every year we are amazed at the creativity of today’s chefs-in-training and how they keep coming up with new, inventive ways to use Diamond Crystal® kosher salt,” says Kari Goldsmith, marketing manager for Diamond Crystal. “This year the judges found the depth of talent to be extraordinary among students from schools both large and small, and from all parts of the country. We are thrilled to award our prize package to two promising students who have shown what it takes to become successful chefs of tomorrow.”
Two Promising Chefs of Tomorrow
Grand prize winner Sara Welch received a $2,000 scholarship for her entrée, Slow-Roasted Pork Spareribs with Peach-Mustard Glaze, praised by the judges for its use of kosher salt to enhance contrasting flavors including sweet peach nectar and trendy smoked paprika. Welch will be featured with her recipe in a full-page advertisement in Sizzle magazine, and will receive one free case of Diamond Crystal® kosher salt.
Welch is working toward an associate of science degree in culinary management at Florida Community College of Jacksonville, and intends to use her scholarship to pursue her dream of becoming a pastry chef. She says the inspiration for her recipe came from an understanding of food chemistry and knowledge flavor enhancement.
“I used the kosher salt to balance and enhance the other flavors in the dish, peach nectar for sweetness, smoked paprika to add a smokey flavor to the ribs, plus vinegar and garlic. It was the idea of having a blend of all these flavors on one fork that excited me,” she says.
Category winner Christen Roye, a student at Texas Culinary Institute, also created a tantalizing combination of flavors in her original appetizer recipe, Herbaceous Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette. The zesty blend uses kosher salt to enhance the flavor of fresh, in-season zucchini, parsley and green onion. Christen was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her original appetizer recipe.
“It’s so rewarding to see what students can do when encouraged to experiment with ingredients,” Goldsmith adds. “They continue to find fresh new ways to use Diamond Crystal® kosher salt to bring out the natural flavors and textures of their recipes,”
About Diamond Crystal® Salt
For generations, Diamond Crystal® salt has signified world-class salt, bringing out the true flavor of fresh food. The extensive line of products includes Diamond Crystal® kosher salt, a coarse salt renowned among chefs for its exceptional texture, blendability, adherence and pure flavor. Diamond Crystal® kosher salt and other popular consumer and foodservice products are available at select grocers nationwide, or by calling (888) 385-SALT.
Diamond Crystal® is a registered trademark of Cargill, Incorporated.
© 2007 Cargill, Incorporated.
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