ACF ChefConnect Atlantic City

The ACF Professional Chefs Association of South Jersey hosted ChefConnect: Atlantic City on February 24-26. The American Culinary Federation’s ChefConnect events are regional conferences featuring education, networking, the Baron H. Galand Culinary Knowledge Bowl competitions, and a forum for ACF chapters hosted by the regional Vice Presidents. Chefs from all fields including pastry, restaurants, research, corporate, education and more gather with their peers and suppliers at our regional conferences and national convention. ACF events are open to ACF members at a discounted rate. Non-members are invited to attend as well.

I was there representing both the ACF Rhode Island Chapter and the Harvest Table Culinary Group. The week started out great when the car rental agency upgraded me to a Mustang Convertible! Too bad the weather wasn’t upgraded to summertime! Anyway, here are some of the awesome things that happened:

Healthy Cooking Techniques - Seafood Forcemeats

Thomas Griffiths, CMC: Global Cuisine Consulting, LLC

During this session, attendees learned skills and gained insights related to delicious, healthful seafood cookery. Chef Thomas Griffiths, CMC shared his philosophy of healthy cooking, and prepared forcemeat, and demonstrated proper plating to produce a seafood appetizer. Chef Griffiths is the Chef/ owner of Global Cuisine Consulting, specializing in ‘Transforming Culinary & Science into Commercial Reality.’

Techniques to drive flavor, but limit sodium & fat

MarketConnect: Caribbean Cuisine

Frankie Ruiz, US Foods

Chef demonstrates how to make mofungo.

Audience members pitch in

Dr. L. J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award Lunch

Sponsored by MINOR’s and Perdue Foods

Winter Gem Lettuce & Heirloom Beet Mille-Feuille, Cabrales Tuille Sandwich & Roasted Fig Vinaigrette

“Perdue Harvest Land” Herb Crusted Airline Chicken Breast, Hammonton Farmers Market Croquette, Sunchoke Puree, Butter Poached Pink Fingerling and “Minors” White Burgundy, Chicken Vegetable Jus

Warm Coconut Cheesecake, Bread Pudding and Ashbury Bourbon Anglaise with Fresh Berries

How Chefs Can Positively Impact Food System Problems: The Case of Food Waste

Jonathan Deutsch, Ph.D., Drexel University

Up to 40% of food is wasted globally. Chefs are highly skilled at food preservation and can apply those skills to community settings and the food industry to achieve regional, national and global impact. Starting with the case of food waste and exploring other opportunities, Chef Deutsch showed how the Drexel Food Lab in the Center for Food and Hospitality Management at Drexel University is engaging students in solving real world food system problems.

Chef Deutsch is a Professor in the Center for Food and Hospitality Management and Department of Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University. He was the James Beard Foundation Impact Fellow, leading a national curriculum effort on food waste reduction. At Drexel, he oversees the Drexel Food Lab, a culinary innovation and food product research and development lab focused on solving real world food system problems in the areas of sustainability, health promotion, and inclusive dining.

Keynote: Finding the Chef Within

Chef Marc Forgione

Chef Forgione discussed his culinary journey and encouraged chef to listen to their gut.

The Art and Craft of Charcuterie for the Modern American Menu, Including whole-animal Butchery

Michael Ruhlman & Brian Polcyn

Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn were on stage together showing common butchery and traditional European seam butchery cuts for pate, terrines, and rillettes, and menu development. Commentary by food writer Michael Ruhlman. The two discussed Charcuterie, the use of nitrites and nitrates in the craft, the importance of American farming, and how to utilize this ancient craft for profitability.

Sensory Evaluation: Teaching Culinary Students to Taste

Chef David Campbell, CCC, CCE

Culinary programs and apprenticeships do a great job teaching people to cook, but rarely spend any time teaching them to taste. A few years ago, David Campbell of State University of New York at Cobleskill started to teach a wine tasting class. Students were required to write up tasting notes for each of the wines tasted. When he had those students later in the program (for cooking classes), he noticed that they were able to discuss flavor and manipulate the taste of dishes much easier than they could before the wine class. He began to include sensory evaluation in his culinary classes and have made it a point to get students to "put words" to what they are tasting. Attendees will learn the five basic tastes and how to manipulate them for optimal flavor; how sense of smell impacts flavor; how mouthfeel contributes to flavor; ways to get students to talk about taste; and how to use these skills in their classrooms and positively impact their students.

Brunch & Learn: Emotional Intelligence, Managing PTSD and EMotional Trauma

Chef Jeff Bacon, CEC, CCA, AAC

Open discussion on dealing with some of the emotional challenges of the industry.

“50 Years in America”

Chef Walter Staib

A third-generation restaurateur with more than four decades of culinary experience, Chef Walter Staib is an author, Emmy Award winning TV host, James Beard-nominated chef and culinary historian. He began his career in Europe, receiving formal training in many of Europe’s finest hotels and restaurants. As founder and president of Concepts By Staib, Ltd. (est. 1989), a global restaurant management and hospitality consulting firm, Walter Staib has opened more than 650 restaurants worldwide. He is currently the driving force behind Philadelphia’s City Tavern, a faithful recreation of an original 18th century tavern and Concepts By Staib, Ltd.’s flagship operation.

Staib founded the Caribbean Culinary Federation and organized the first Caribbean culinary competition between 15 countries in the Caribbean. He was also the first inductee into the Caribbean Culinary Hall of Fame, and his efforts to promote Caribbean cuisine outside the Caribbean. Chef Staib has also authored six cookbooks. Walter Staib has made numerous appearances on local and national cooking shows, such as 60 Minutes, the Today show and the Food Network’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate” and “Iron Chef.” He is the host of A Taste of History©, which just received the 2012 James Beard Foundation nomination for Best TV Show On Location and was awarded ten Emmy awards, including two best hosts. The show is a vehicle for Staib to share 18th century cuisine with a growing audience.

World Flavors Spotlight: Regional Croatian Cuisine

Chef Stephen Moir, CEC

Croatian food has been influenced by tastes and traditions from neighboring countries, and the many different nations that ruled territory of Croatia throughout history. From the mainland to the coastal regions, the cuisine of Croatia has blended the best of flavors of Slavic, Hungarian, Turkish, and Mediterranean foods. In this session learn about the foods of each region, and taste how these dishes can be translated into current menu items. Stephen J. Moir, CEC is a graduate of the Academy of Culinary Arts 90’. Chef Moir is currently Culinary Instructor for the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools-Perth Amboy Campus. This past year Chef Moir received the distinction of winning the Green Leader Award presented by the Green Restaurant Association. Chef Moir received the 2007 & 2016 Teacher of the Year at Perth Amboy Tech and 2011, 2014 and 2016 Northeast Semifinalist for Chef Educator of the Year from the ACF.

Closing General Session: Turning Chaos into Opportunity

Chef Jeremiah Tower

Jeremiah Tower was born in the United States, educated in Australia, England, France, and the U.S., and is recognized throughout the world as an authority on food and restaurant hospitality. In 1972, he began his culinary career as co-owner and executive chef of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. Chef Tower has written many award-winning books. In addition to the James Beard Foundation’s award for “Outstanding Chef in America” in 1996, Jeremiah was inducted into the 1991 Nation’s Restaurant News Fine Dining Hall of Fame, and in 1993 was named Regional Best Chef California by the prestigious James Beard Foundation. Recently, Tower was the guest speaker at the first graduation of The Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Austin, TX; a guest judge for “Top Chef” in the U.S. and for Rich Stein’s BBC television show “Mexico;” a speaker and presenter at the Financial Times “Weekend” at Oxford University.

Chef Tower’s advice for aspiring chefs

Audience Q&A Moderated by Roco Dispirito

Christian Froelich, ACF Certified Executive Chef

Congratulations to Chef Christian Froelich, CEC from High Point University whom this week satisfied all the requirements to become a Certified Executive Chef (CEC®) with the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The Harvest Table Culinary Group has a commitment to culinary certification of those in leadership positions within the culinary brigade. Harvest Table holds a semi-annual training summit allowing chefs to learn and practice toward their selected level of certification.

The Certified Executive Chef (CEC®) displays leadership and excels in managing and motivating employees. A CEC is a skilled, professional chef who manages the kitchen and has demonstrated the knowledge necessary to ensure a safe and pleasurable dining experience by preparing food that is delicious, nutritious and safe to eat. The ACF CEC follows proven business practices ensuring a financially successful operation. Candidates for the CEC have at least five years experience as a Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef or Chef in charge of food production in a foodservice operation.

The certification process requires CEC candidates to pass three 30-hour classes in food safety, hospitality & food management, and nutrition. Chefs must also take a written exam encompassing all aspects of the culinary arts. The final exam is a 3-hour practical market basked exam. Chefs must craft a three-course menu using all basket ingredients. Within that menu, they must demonstrate classical cooking techniques, knife cuts, and sauce making. The assessment for certification practical testing is divided into four general areas: Safety and Sanitation Skills, Organization, Craftsmanship Skills, and Finished Product Skills. The candidate’s skills are evaluated during the examination period through frequent monitoring by three certification evaluators. The practical examination is scored overall as pass or fail. Points are calculated in various areas, and a total numerical score is calculated. A total averaged a score of 75% (75 points) or better is considered passing.

Chef Froelich has trained with the Harvest Table Culinary Group throughout the last year to prepare for this exam. He now proudly wears the credentials of CEC and joins an elite group of peers. As with all certified chefs, Chef Froelich is now a mentor for the sixteen other Harvest Table chefs currently studying in pursuit of certification this coming year.

Seafood Course

Salad Course

Chicken Course

Please join Harvest Table Culinary Group in congratulating Chef Froelich on this milestone accomplishment in his career as a culinarian!

Vietnamese Cuisine

The Harvest Table Culinary Group met at Georgetown University hosted by Hoya Hospitality this week to develop new authentic Vietnamese dishes for upcoming menus. We heard from our Guests that Vietnamese cuisine is one of their favorites and they’re looking for more authentic preparations. In particular Vietnamese cuisine is popular because:

• the cuisine has influences from both Chinese and French cuisines

• seafood, fresh herbs, fish sauce, and rice are staple ingredients

• popular dishes include banh mi, sandwiches, and pho, noodle soup

• considered one of the healthiest cuisines due to the emphasis on fresh herbs and ingredients and low oil use

The Chef’s Council from across the Harvest Table Culinary Group assembled at the LEO Market’s Launch Test Kitchen to innovate and ideate new recipes. Here are a few of the highlights:

Bánh mì Sandwich

This refers to a kind of sandwich that consists of a Vietnamese single-serving baguette, which is split lengthwise and filled with various savory ingredients. A typical Vietnamese sandwich is a fusion of meats and vegetables from native Vietnamese cuisine such as chả lụa (pork sausage), coriander leaf (cilantro), cucumber, pickled carrots, cabbage, and daikon combined with condiments.

Our team created three varieties of this popular sandwich. The first, a traditional recipe featuring pate, roasted pork, pickled vegetables, coriander leaves, and jalapeños. Due to the different dietary needs of our Guests on campus, we also created a chicken bahn mi for our Halal students and a spicy tofu bahn mi for our vegetarian Guests.

Pork Bánh mì Sandwich

Chicken Bánh mì Sandwich

Tofu Bánh mì Sandwich

Shrimp Toasts

The next dish we looked at was the shrimp toast. Admittedly, the shrimp toast is traditionally a Chinese dim sum dish. It is made from small triangles of bread, brushed with egg and coated with minced shrimp and water chestnuts, then cooked by baking or deep frying. The Chef’s Council took an innovative approach to this dish and embraced traditional Vietnamese ingredients and favor profiles to adapt this dish for the Vietnamese palette. Who doesn’t love a fried appetizer? -and of course, we couldn’t forget our vegetarian Guests or those with shellfish allergies. Using a dedicated fryer, we created pork and tofu versions of this popular dish!

Tofu, Shrimp and Pork Toasts -multiple versions for every palette!

Phở

Phở is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles called bánh phở, a few herbs, and meat, primarily made with either beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). Pho is a popular street food in Vietnam and the specialty of a number of restaurant chains around the world. Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam, and was popularized throughout the rest of the world by refugees after the Vietnam War. At Harvest Table we believe in scratch preparation so all three of our Phở broths are made in-house, beef, chicken and vegetarian.

Marinated Beef Phở

Lemongrass-Chicken Phở

Vegetarian Tofu Phở

Our last few dishes included a BBQ Pork Meatball, traditional vegetable rice noodle bowl and a five-spiced braised pork rice bowl.

BBQ Glazed Vietnamese Pork Meatball rice bowl

Vegetable Rice Noodle bowl with Vegetarian Nuoc Cham

Five-Spiced Braised Pork rice bowl with fresh vegetables & lime

Thanks to our Chef’s Council team for joining us at this recipe development session. We had representatives from Hoya Hospitality at Georgetown University, University of Rochester Dining, NYU Harvest Table at Third North and High Point University Dining.

Harvest Table Culinary Group Chef’s Council: Chefs Derrick, Sandy, Merrick, Matthew, Richard, Jeff and Ron.

THANK YOU HOYAS for tasting and providing essential Guest feedback on the new recipes we are creating for you as part of our mission to enrich and nourish lives through inspired food experiences!

Georgetown University Chef Battle

GOOD MORNING HOYAS! I’m chef Matthew Thompson, your emcee for the Hoya Hospitality Chef Battle -the first of its kind here at Georgetown and is modeled after the popular “Iron Chef” TV show. We are here today to answer Georgetown University’s most savory question?...Who’s cuisine reigns supreme? Here at Launch Test Kitchen we have brought together Hoya’s top culinary talent to meet and face the ultimate gourmet challenge.

Let’s meet today’s contestants

Bjorn Verduijn grew up in The Netherlands. He learned at an early age quality food was an essential ingredient to good living. Farm to Fork food is a way of life in the rural community in the province Zeeland, where he and his family grew up using sustainable cooking methods by using locally grown and harvested resources to generate revenue for farmers and fishing boats as an innate default. Bjorn’s early inspiration and food memories comes from his grandmother’s cooking when visiting her every week.

To everyone’s surprise Bjorn decided to abandon his dream of pursuing a career in biochemistry, and leave for culinary school in Belgium where he ended up graduating from Hotelschool Ter Groene Poorte with a degree in culinary arts, pastry arts , sommelier degree and eventually earning his MBA as well. After graduating Bjorn worked as a cook and eventually Chef in Spain, Belgium, France, The Netherlands and Ireland, before finally moving to Long Island, NY.

After working in New York for a few years, he eventually moved to Annapolis, MD in 2000 where he still resides to this day. Since moving to Annapolis, Bjorn has moved into culinary management and managed prestigious accounts such as World bank, IMF, Jones Day law firm, Northrop Grumman HQ and the US House of Representatives to name a few. In his spare time Bjorn enjoys running, hunting, of course cooking, being on the water and spending lots of time with his wife and 2 kids.

Executive Chef Richard Hetzler, formally the executive chef at Mitsitam Native Foods Café for more than 10 years at the National Museum of the American Indian, brings extensive experience and a passion for food to his work that he has been cultivating since his youth. After graduating from Baltimore International Culinary College, he honed his skills in fine dining restaurants and hotels, including Elkridge Furnace Inn, Jefferson Hotel and Maryland Inn and Treaty of Paris Restaurant.

Chef Hetzler has owned his own Italian restaurant and has been a part of many world-class cultural institutions and hosted many premier events. He was also part of the catering service team, The Compass Group, at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Chef Hetzler was approached to head the Mitsitam Native Foods Café at the earliest stages of menu planning. He spearheaded the research and tasting process that resulted in the five unique regional menus and a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience that reflects and compliments the museum’s mission to educate visitors about Native cultures. Since then he has also published an award wining cookbook name “Mitsitam Café Cookbook”. He continues to be a culinary innovator and looks forward to his new role with Georgetown

Chefs are you ready for today’s battle?

There is one more ingredient to today’s battle and that is our Secret Ingredient...Today’s secret ingredient is... Salmon! The salmon used in today’s battle is donated courtesy of ProFish

Today’s battle will be judged on taste, presentation and creativity of the use of today’s secret ingredient, Salmon!

Dishes offered by Chef Bjorn

Dishes offered by Chef Richard

Chefs Bjorn Verduijn, Matthew Thompson, & Richard Hetzler

… and the winner of today’s battle? Congratulations Chef Richard Hetzler!

QimiQ Recipe Development

Harvest Table Culinary Group assembled the lead pastry chefs from each of our properties at Gourmet Foods International in Atlanta, GA. We learned from Chefs Aaron and Bryan about using a revolutionary new set of ingredients called QimiQ.

Harvest Table Culinary Group (HTCG) maintains a pantry list of ingredients which meet the brand commitments of Additive Free, Responsibly Sourced, Locally Procured, Freshly Prepared and Nutritionally Balanced. QimiQ meets the Additive Free and Nutritionally Balanced commitments.

QimiQ is a dairy product consisting of 99% light cream and 1% gelatine, patented by Hama Foodservice GmbH. The product was invented by Hans Mandl and Rudolf Haindl in 1995, and was designed to replace artificial emulsifiers and stabilizers by blending with liquids such as alcohol or vinegar; it also emulsifies with oil. In QimiQ, gelatine is already included, so for certain recipes, there is no need to soak gelatine sheets in liquid and then add them. QimiQ cannot be over-whipped like conventional whipping cream. It is stable when exposed to heat or mixed with acids or alcohol, and thus can be used in food products where milk products cannot be used.

Pastry Chefs from Elon University, Georgetown University, Wake Forest University, High Point University and University of Rochester attended this event along with Chef Matthew.

Learning about QimiQ Whip from Chef Aaron

Learning savory applications from Chef Bryan

Aramark Investor Day

Investor Day, NYSE - Harvest Table Showcase
Tuesday, December 11th, 11:30 AM
11 Wall Street, New York City, NY

Harvest Table, Residential Menu, Bento Trays
The Harvest Table Culinary Group was asked to prepare a lunch for the Aramark Investor Day to represent the next generation of residential dining programs. The program for the day did not allow for stations, buffet or family style. The Chef’s Council choose to present Bento trays. Featured recipes for food items were representative of some of the dishes we serve in our residential restaurants.

Pumpkin-Coconut Bisque
creamy pumpkin bisque with Styrian toasted pumpkin seed oil, focaccia crouton
tasting notes: locally procured, freshly prepared, additive free

Kale Caesar Salad
house made caesar, chickpea croutons, maple-glazed pork belly lardons
tasting notes: locally procured, freshly prepared, additive free

Browned-Butter Whole-Wheat Pasta with
Spicy Cauliflower, Root Vegetable & Radish
house dressing & fresh native herbs
tasting notes: locally procured, freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced

Roasted Beet Salad with Citrus & Fennel
perilla, roasted beets, shaved fennel, citrus supreme, crumbled goat cheese, & toasted chili-spiced pepitas  
tasting notes: locally procured, freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced

Cider Braised Heritage Pork
gingered carrot, harissa cream, pomegranate, frisee & delicata
tasting notes: locally procured, responsibly sourced, freshly prepared

Chicken Bibimbap & Gochujang Sauce
soy marinated braised chicken, kimchee, turnip, broccoli rabe, shiitake, kimgui, carrot, scallion
tasting notes: responsibly sourced, freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced

Gogoma Jorim (Korean Braised Sweet Potato)
tasting notes: freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced

Harvest Table Granola Bars
winter signature flavor, Fig-Hazelnut
Retail Presentation: Package as a take-away. tasting notes: freshly prepared

Chobani Creation: Pistachio & Chocolate
Chobani greek style yogurt, pistachios, dark chocolate, orange, clover honey & fresh mint
tasting notes: responsibly sourced, freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced

Honey Roasted Pear & Almond  
red-wine roasted grapes, golden flaxseed granola & minted goat cheese,
tasting notes: locally procured, freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced

New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education

Partnerships & Sustainable Dining

Cam Schauf
Director of Campus Dining Services & Auxiliary Operations
Co-chair, University Council on Sustainability
University of Rochester

Chef Matthew Thompson, Pro Chef III, CEC, CCA
Chief Culinary Officer
Harvest Table Culinary Group

Presented at the New York Coalition for Sustainability in Higher Education on November 7, 2018 for the annual New York State Sustainability Conference.

Chobani Recipe Development

The Chef’s Council visited Chobani Yogurt in SOHO, New York, NY on October 25! Chefs met with Chef Jake Briere, corporate chef for Chobani. We learned about substituting yogurt in recipes for healthy alternatives. Using what we learned, we went back into the kitchen to innovate some new recipes!

AASHE Conference & Expo: Pittsburg

Opening Program & Keynote - Akpezi Ogbuigwe

Tue, 10/2: 4:45 PM  - 6:00 PM 

Dr. Akpezi Ogbuigwe, former Head of Environmental Education and Training at the United Nations Environmental Program, served as UNEP's lead organizer in the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. While at UNEP, she initiated the Global Universities Partnership on Environmental Sustainability as well as a multi-stakeholder program on Mainstreaming Environment and Sustainability in African Universities.

She has over thirty years of professional experience as a Law teacher first at the University of Lagos and now at the Rivers State University where she served in various capacities. She is an avid researcher in transformational change in higher education in Africa, environmental law and policy, and sustainable development. She has contributed to knowledge in the field of environmental law and education for sustainable development through a variety of published articles and book chapters. In addition, Akpezi serves as a Juror in the UNESCO-Japan Prize on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD); Adviser for the African Region United Nations University Regional Centres for Expertise on ESD; and Council Member for Earth Charter International.

Whole Grain Awareness Month

Harvest Table Culinary Group, InHarvest Whole Grains, Rice & Legumes and ACF Triad Chapter all came together this week to celebrate Whole Grain Awareness Month. We met at Wake Forest University on Monday, September 24, 2018.

Brooke Orr, MS RD LDN
Registered Dietician, Deacon Dining
Wake Forest University

Brooke Orr is a Master’s Level Nutritionist (M.S.), a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) with diverse experiences in wellness concerns such as eating disorders, diabetes, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Food Allergies and more.  Brooke has a personal training certification through the American College of Sports Medicine and practices from a Health at Every Size approach. Brooke will have an activity table set up for chefs to stop by on their way into the meeting set up with whole-grain education mason jars. Stop by and chat with Brook and build an overnight oats jar to take with you. We will also have samples of whole-grain smoothies. www.deacondining.com

Matthew Thompson, MBA, PCIII, CEC, CCA
Chief Culinary Officer
Harvest Table Culinary Group

Harvest Table is an inspired culinary group dedicated to turning fresh, local, and sustainably-sourced ingredients into authentic food experiences. Our creative team of culinary experts is dedicated to food literacy and flavor discovery. We bring our venues to life through a shared commitment to cultivating strong communities and connecting to local culture.  At Harvest Table, we believe everyone should experience the timeless camaraderie of mealtime and the delicious moments that a hand-crafted meal brings. Our world-class chefs and food enthusiasts specialize in creating dishes made to satisfy every guest’s nutritional needs as well as their ever-evolving appetite for something new, exciting and enriching. Driven by our food-first philosophy, we bring innovative, authentic, and personalized experiences to life for each unique college university, company, and organization we serve. We are proud to join the ACF as Property Members with a large concentration of our members joining the ACF Triad Chapter. Welcome to our table! www.harvesttableculinary.com

Jason “Jay Z” Ziobrowski, CEC
Corporate Chef, Eastern Region
InHarvest Whole Grains, Rice & Legumes

Chef Jay, InHarvest’s corporate chef for the Eastern region, is certified as an executive chef (CEC) through the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Based in North Carolina, he works personally with chefs and operators east of the Mississippi to help them capitalize on the singular qualities of InHarvest products to increase sales by heightening the dining experience. His recipe development focuses on current and forecasted menu trends, evolving customer demand and seasonal and regional ingredients. Chef Jay Z will be presenting an Intact-Grain demo and presentation. www.inharvest.com

Chefs enjoyed an educational program lead by Chef Jay Z from InHarvest, followed by a buffet tasting of dishes prepared using InHarvest ingredients.

Harvest Table Culinary Group chefs returned the following day for a Whole Grain Takeover of their restaurant at Wake Forest University. Chefs prepared 25 signature recipes featuring whole grains. Recipes including:

• Freekah Meatballs with Swedish Gravy

• Gluten-Free Black Quinoa Cauliflower Flatbread

• Greenwheat Freekah and Kale Salad

• Ruby Wild BBQ Chicken Salad Bowl

• Sunrise Holiday Stuffing

• Morrocan Quinoa Shredded Beet Carrot Salad

• Farroguacamole

• Southern Black Pearl Salad

• Golden Jewel Blend Cranberry and Apple Salad

• Monterey Jack Quesadilla with Beans and Quinoa\

• Nerone Italian Black Rice Pudding

• Farro Risotto with Snap Pea Ragout

• Black Barley and 5-Spice Berry Shake

• Brazilian Black Rice Acai Shake

• Cuban Wrap with Sunrise Blend

Chef Jay “Z” and Chef Matthew present the new dishes.

We received overwhelming positive student feedback on the dishes! The development aligns with the Harvest Table culinary commitments and the bold new industry food trend of Plant-Forward dining.

In Pursuit of Hospitality

"Flight attendants please prepare for departure." Another week in the books. This time of year is especially exhausting as hundreds of higher education campuses welcome back students. For me, we're closing out a three-week travel schedule consisting of 14 cities training several thousand culinary & hospitality employees. This year marks my twentieth year in the industry; you’d think it would be second-nature by now. The truth is, every year is different and this year is by far the most exciting. This year I'm leading the culinary team of a brand new organization. 

I've spent a fair amount of time lately considering what's going on in our food landscape. This introduction to the National Geographic series of Investigating the Future of Food

We are amidst an incredible culinary renaissance where we are radically redefining our cultural relationship with food. We haven't seen as a dynamic shift in the food landscape since the mid to late 1950's industrialization of our food system. Ironically, we are fundamentally unraveling these industrialized developments and once more fully engaging clean, wholesome, fresh ingredients.

Throughout my time in the hospitality industry, food as an ingredient is not the only transformation. We have fundamentally seen a change in the role of chef. The Executive Chef is the rock star of today, not just a cook proficient in technique and flavor development, but an educator, environmental steward, wellness advocate, leader, scientist, and innovator. I am passionate to be a part of leading our culinary revolution. As a Chef, I am focused on three key fundamentals: ingredient transparency, artisan small-batch preparation, and continuous menu innovation.

I can’t think of a better time to be a chef! 

 ...but as as exciting as it is working in the “industry” today, we also bear some significant responsibilities. Why? What’s the future of food?

How to do you lead in the food industry today?

My experience? There are two camps. The first: the group that doesn’t consider themselves leaders. They’ve never stopped to ponder it. These people just know food. They don’t know anything about the food industry, the food system or food service. The second: the group that knows everything about it (or think they do.) Usually, this group drones on about insights, consumers, and innovation. They know all about what today’s consumer wants. Sadly they couldn’t cook to save their lives and they're clueless about the fact that consumers buy toaster ovens and mattresses. Guests dine at restaurants.

It is this divide that used to separate the restaurant kitchen from the institutional kitchen. The reality today is that line is becoming blurred. One cannot exist without the other. 

What we need now is a third group. A blend of both. A group of CHEFS that are proficient practitioners of the craft of culinary arts educated in the larger impact of food on our planet. This elite but growing group includes chefs like José Andrés, Dan Barber of any of the other 11 Chefs Changing the Food System.   

I said earlier we really are in a culinary revolution. Food is NOT a product. It shouldn’t come in a foil bag or a plastic bottle. Food is an experience. In growing, preparing, cooking, serving and enjoying. Food without experience is just fuel. The world's expectations about food is changing. The food service industry is dying. We’ve left the old model of the cafeteria “scoop and plop” in the rear view and embraced a new era of hospitality. That's a tall order. For me, one of my responsibilities is to take the lunch-lady of yesterday and transform her into the restauranteur of tomorrow.

The best way I know how to tell that story of hospitality evolution is through the words of an eleven-year-old:

Ladies and gentlemen at the time of this recording Birke was eleven years old. Recorded in 2010, that makes Birke around 18. Let me introduce you to the next member of our freshmen class. THIS is our customer. Studies show that 69% of his peer group -Generation Z, cares about the same things Birke does. 

I've always defined hospitality as anticipating the needs of our Guests and exceeding their expectations. Our Guest is changing. Their expectations are changing. It's time for leaders. Leaders who deliver culinary experiences. Leaders who understand food and the impact it has on the world. Leaders with the ability, energy and drive to elevate our cultural relationship with food to new heights; transforming food to better our bodies through health and wellness and improve our impact on our environment by becoming better stewards to the planet. 

At our schools, when we serve our Guests, we are stewards of our client's brand -a challenge we take incredibly seriously and requires discipline and leadership. We are passionate about serving you and exceeding your expectations.

Summer 2018 Harvest Table Tastings

Chefs Jermery Joy, Jordan Rogers, Matthew Thompson, Adam Neill & Jay Vetter

Chefs Justin Garcia, Adam Neill, Matthew Thompson, Jay Vetter & Candice Lawson