Washington, D.C. – August 25, 2021 – The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) announced the gold, silver and bronze medal culinary team winners of the 2021 AHF annual Culinary Competition. Gold medal winners David Brue, Derrick Claprood, and Amy Patton were presented with the top award at the Culinary Reception during the AHF Annual Conference at the Omni Dallas in Dallas, Texas.
Each of the five teams had to utilize a mandatory market basket concept and mystery ingredient. Teams chose either 1 item from Market basket A and 2 from Market basket B or chose 3 items in Market basket B to create their original recipe. Each original recipe was required to follow certain nutritional and cost guidelines and be appropriate to serve in the team’s operation, whether retail, catering or patient feeding. All teams had to utilize the mystery ingredient, revealed with 24 hours’ notice of the competition. The 2021 mystery ingredient was pricky pear.
“Our annual culinary competition is the top Culinary showcase for all chefs in Healthcare and Senior Dining.” Said AHF President Ryan Conklin, “The chef talent in our industry is levels above what it used to be, and this event most certainly highlights the aspect that healthcare and senior dining facilities across the nation have taken huge strides to provide a true restaurant-style experience. This competition truly represents the best of the best!”
The 2021 Culinary Competition Winners are:
Gold Medal: David Brue, Derrick Claprood, and Amy Patton, OSU Wexner Medical Center (Columbus, OH). Dish Name: Blackened Red Fish w/ Crispy Brown Rice Cake
Silver Medal: Michael Kasperek, Tony Almeida, and Jill Wedeen, RWJ Hospital New Brunswick (New Brunswick, NJ). Dish Name: Cajun Spiced Berkshire Pork Tenderloin.
Bronze Medal: Tyran Lawson, James Castellow, and Andrew Morgan, UNC REX Healthcare (Raleigh, NC). Dish Name: Harissa Crusted Red Fish, Sweet and Sour Root Vegetables, Pan Seared Yukon Golds, Purple Potato Puree, Foamed Ancho-Tomato Coulis, English Peas and Bell Pepper-Popped Sorghum Relish.
Honorable Mention: Tony Trayham, Lisa Bayes, and Luke Piatt, Centra Health (Lynchburg, VA). Dish Name: Roulade of Pork with Roasted Carrot and Grapefruit Gastrique.
Honorable Mention: Kristina O’Donnell, Casey Cornett, and Laura Walters, Kettering Health Main Campus (Kettering, OH). Dish Name: Seared Red Fish with Creamed Collards and Carrot Apple Slaw.
The judges for the 2021 AHF Culinary Competition were:
- Stephan Pyles, Chef, James Beard Award Recipient, Philanthropist, and Educator
- Jason Weaver, Director of Food and Beverage, Omni Dallas Hotel
- Rick Farmer, CEC, 2019 AHF Culinary Competition First Place Winner
- Michael Vetro, CEC, 2019 AHF Culinary Competition First Place Winner
- Nazim Khan, CEC, WCEC, WCMC, Executive Chef, Bryan Health
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 healthcare and senior living 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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