California Giant names Chef Invitational finalists, People’s Choice winner

David McGurn of Performance Foodservice and his Congee with Brulee Berries and Quick Berry Pickles earned the  People’s Choice Award for California Giant Berry Farms' 2023 Chef Invitational. The company also named four additional finalists for the competition:

• Dontre'al Haigler, Denny’s – Fruity Fried Octopus with Blueberry Sticky Rice
• Jereme Nemeth, Sysco – Blackberry Fennel Scallops with Blueberry Risotto
• Katie Bulger, Performance Foodservice – Blackberry Brown Butter Seabass with Strawberry Chimichurri
• Steven Halliday, Gordon Food Service – Red Thai Berry Chicken Curry with Blueberry Lemon Rice

McGurn will automatically progress to the final in-person round of the competition and take home a $500 cash prize, accompanied by a matching grant to his selected non-profit organization, The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Alongside McGurn, the other four chef finalists will attend an in-person four-day finale event on California’s Central Coast from June 25 to June 28. This immersive event will include field tours of California Giant berry fields, meet-and-greets with growers and a grand finale, at which the Top Chef will be named. Also unique to the event’s fifth iteration is an educational session led by Chef Rosalyn Darling. The workshop introduces her culinary innovation methodology that combines macro societal trends and Culinary Compassion for meaningful menu development.

Each of the finalists will compete during the finale by re-creating their custom, berry-forward recipe. Ultimately, a panel of judges will select the California Giant Chef Invitational Top Chef based upon the four specific criteria: appearance, usage of berries, flavor and creativity. 

The panel of judges includes the previous Chef Invitational Top Chefs, accompanied on the judges panel by California Giant influencer, chef and cookbook author Marie Reginato.

“The introduction of the trend requirement this year yielded impressive recipe submissions,” said California Giant Director of Sales Tom Smith. “The chefs came forth with innovative, on-trend recipes that leveled up the event as we know it. We’re looking forward to seeing who takes home the title of Top Chef.”

To learn more about the California Giant Chef Invitational visit: https://promos.calgiant.com/chef-invitational-2023