Healthcare Chefs From Ohio, Virginia and Maryland Receive Top Honors at Industry’s Renowned Event
The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) announced the gold, silver and bronze medal culinary team winners of the 2017 AHF annual Culinary Competition. Gold medal winners Matthew Osolin and Ryan Wagner were presented with the top award at the Culinary Reception during the AHF annual conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in the Washington, DC area.
New in 2017, there were no mandatory ingredients. However, each original recipe had to follow certain nutritional and cost guidelines and be appropriate to serve in the team’s operation; whether retail, catering or patient feeding. The teams and their dishes were judged on organization, culinary skills, taste and presentation.
“The annual AHF Culinary Competition is one of my all-time favorite events,” said AHF President Julie Jones, Director of Nutrition Services at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “I can’t imagine these entrees on a healthcare industry menu a couple years ago. I’m thrilled to honor these innovative and creative chefs for taking our work to the next level.”
The 2017 Culinary Competition Winners are:
Gold Medal: Matthew Osolin and Ryan Wagner, Ohio Living at Breckenridge Village (Willoughby, OH): Prawn Sanctioned Ashore
Silver Medal: Darla Mehrkens, CEC and Amber Duncan, Carilion Clinic (Roanoke, VA): Cod a la Nage
Bronze Medal and Winners of the People's Choice Award: Bridget O'Leary and Manny Lopez, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (Baltimore, MD): Bulgolgi Beef Bibimbap
New in 2017, following the competition, AHF presented a new award entitled the People's Choice Award wherein conference attendees were invited to vote for their favorite team's dish.
The judges for the 2017 AHF Culinary Competition were:
- Erik "Chef Egg" Berlin, Celebrity Chef
- David Creamer, Gaylord Executive Resort Chef
- Jason Johnston, MGM Executive Chef
- Chef Lloyd Galloway, ACF Certified Evaluator
- 2016 AHF Culinary Competition First Place Winner, Chef John Graziano
- 2016 AHF Culinary Competition First Place Winner, Chef Jason Nyman
About AHF
Formed in 2009, the Association for Healthcare Foodservice is composed of food and nutrition professionals from facilities that are self-operated. AHF advances the foodservice and hospitality industry in all healthcare segments by developing our Operator members through continuing education, networking opportunities, annual conference, and innovative equipment and service through our business partners. AHF advocates for and supports its members to create best practice, while connecting the leaders that advance the industry.
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