DEL MONTE FRESH ANNOUNCES ITS “FIND YOUR INNER CHEF” NATIONAL COOK OFF WINNER

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. (Del Monte) announces its “Find Your Inner Chef” National Cook Off winner. Kara Adanalian from Fresno, California, earned the title and the grand prize retreat for two to the Napa Valley Culinary Institute. The online contest, which launched April 15 and culminated with the national cook off, encouraged consumers to submit their own favorite recipe using Del Monte® fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kara’s winning recipe, Red Pepper and Avocado Stuffed Chicken Breast with a pastry gremolata and white wine reduction, received rave reviews from the judges. It was a competitive cook off as the four finalists competed in a face-off / bracket challenge type setting. The national cook off was held on the campus of The Miami Dade College Hospitality School – Miami Culinary Institute. Each aspiring chef prepared a dish from their social media-winning recipe that met certain criteria (for example, using specific Del Monte® fresh produce or inspiring a certain taste). Each were given an hour to complete their recipes.

Judges based their final decision on the following criteria: 1) Creativity of the dish, 2) Taste of the Dish, 3) Use of Del Monte® fresh fruits or vegetables in the recipe, and 4) Presentation of the dish. The winner from each bracket moved on to compete for the Grand Prize and coveted title. 

To view the “Find Your Inner Chef” national cook off competition in its entirety, log onto www.fruits.com