By: Dagmar Farr, Senior Vice President, Member Services, Food Marketing Institute 
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was center stage at FMI Connect 2014 and the top 25 Supermarket Chefs were in full action as they competed for the industry’s highest culinary honor in the Supermarket Chef Showdown. Defending champion, Keoni Chang from Foodland Super Market was putting an ethnic spin on one of his family meal favorites, Korean-style Hillshire Farm dogs with kimchi slaw and sweet potato fries. Another repeat contender, Michael Brady from FRESH by Brookshire’s Grocery, was also making mouths water as he dished up the perfect ending to any meal, banana beignets with vanilla bean ice-cream. It was an inspiring sight to see so much culinary talent gathered at FMI Connect to show off their skills to the entire industry. I can still see the faces of the judges as they tasted the contestant’s delectable dishes and the chefs as they waited anxiously to see how they stacked up to the competition.
Last year, it was Rachael Perron from Kowalski’s Markets who impressed the judges with a Greek grain salad with dilled feta dressing to take home the tile of Supermarket Chef Showdown Champion. I look forward to seeing what dishes our Supermarket Chefs will create this year and to see who takes home the 2015 grand prize.
Right now, the FMI is looking for the best supermarket chefs and recipes in the country, and if you’re a winner, you’ll win big. Fifteen supermarket chefs from stores around the country will travel to Chicago for the 2015 Supermarket Chef Showdown, held during the annual FMI Connect conference June 9 – 11. The Grand Prize winner receives an expense-paid trip for two to the fabulous Italian Culinary Institute in Calabria, and five additional recipe category winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Think you’ve got what it takes to compete or know of a stellar Supermarket Chef? We’re accepting Recipe submissions for these 5 categories:
- Breakfast to Go
- Affordable Family Meals
- Ethnic Dishes
- Holiday Platters
- Desserts
Enter as many recipes as you’d like, as many times as you’d like, between now and February 28! All recipes must use two contest sponsor products: One McCormick & Company brand product, and one other sponsor product. Find full contest information at www.SupermarketChefShowdown.com.
And I’ll see you at the FMI Connect center stage for this year’s Supermarket Chef Showdown!
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