For its fifth annual 'Ultimate Cranberry Recipe' Contest, Ocean Spray has raised the bar once again in search of executive chefs and foodservice professionals who highlight the versatility of the cranberry in the most distinctive and vibrant way.
In a release, the Company said that this year, Shonna Ebert of Dietert Center in Kerrville, Texas and her mouthwatering masterpiece, 'Kickin' Chicken Tortilla Soup with Zesty Cranberry Creme Fraiche', took home the title 'Ultimate Cranberry Recipe' and the $10,000 grand prize.
Ocean Spray said that Ebert prepared her creation for a panel of judges including Paul King, executive chef of Davio's; Lawrence Parks, executive chef; and Jason Ward, executive chef of Renaissance Boston Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place during the final cooking showdown this past Friday. On Saturday, the judges announced Ebert as the winner during Ocean Spray's Fall Harvest Festival.
'For more than 80 years, Ocean Spray has been on the lookout for the most creative and innovative ways to use the cranberry - from sauces and glazes to cocktails and desserts,' said Keith Benoit, Ocean Spray's director of food service and special markets. 'All of the finalists' recipes, including Shonna Ebert's winning tortilla soup, prove once again that no matter the dish, the cranberry can add that sweet or tangy accent to make any ordinary dish extraordinary.'
The three other finalists included Brent Rhoda of Sysco SEF in West Palm Beach, Fla., with his 'Deep Fried Craisins;' Michael Sabella of Sysco Foodservices in San Francisco, Calif., with his 'Cranberry Puebla Cocktail;' and Shawn Bucher of First Timer's Enterprise, Inc. in Ogden, Utah, with his 'Holiday Caprese Salad.'
The contest was open to food professionals - from established chefs to recent culinary school graduates - who have a passion for the little red wonderberry. The finalists and winner recipes can be found at oceanspray.com as well as oceansprayfoodservice.com/recipes/.
Previous years' winning recipes include 'Cranberry Chicken Cakes with Blue Cranberry Aioli,' 'Cranberry Wontons with Cranberry Jalapeno Jelly Dipping Sauce,' a 'Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Mole and Cranberry Salsa,' and a 'Cranberry Mojito.'
Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative owned by more than 700 cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and other parts of Canada as well as more than 50 Florida grapefruit growers.
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