National Potato Council hosts successful Potato Expo in Denver

John Groh, publisher

January 11, 2023

DENVER — The National Potato Council’s annual Potato Expo was a rousing success, drawing more than 1,800 attendees to Denver for the two-day event Jan. 4-5. In addition to a sold-out show floor, where 176 exhibitors featured everything from packaging solutions to fertilizers and equipment, the expo included a heavy dose of fun, with culinary competitions that included industry members and high-profile Food Network personalities.

Kam Quarles, president of the National Potato Council, introducing the three teams that participated in the Instant Pot-ato Challenge during the 2023 Potato Expo in Denver. From left were defending champions Jared Balcom of Balcom & Moe and RJ Andrus of TBR Farms, representing Team 1; Andrew Price of Price Farms and Mike Phillips of Walther Farms representing Team 2; and Greg and Leah Halverson of Black Gold Farms, representing Team 3.

Instant Pot-ato Challenge judges, seated from left, were Jason Morse, owner and executive chef at 5280 Culinary; Bonnie Johnson, director of nutrition and industry relations at Potatoes USA; and Shelley Henschel, trade marketing manager at Little Potato Co. Also shown is RJ Harvey, culinary director of Potatoes USA, who served as one of the emcees of the event.

Instant Pot-ato Challenge emcees Simon Majumdar, food writer, author, cook and Food Network star, and RJ Harvey, culinary director of Potatoes USA, with the winning team of Jared Balcom of Balcom & Moe and RJ Andrus of TBR Farms.

At the Volm booth were Michael Levis, Marsha Pozza, Jordan Mach and Andrew Philpott.

Shawn Boyle of the Idaho Grower-Shipper Association, Derek Peterson of Wilcox Fresh, Ross Johnson of the Idaho Potato Commission and Dean Gibson of Magic Valley Produce.

Brad Stevens, Dan Hawkins and Matthew Beck of Giltner.

Potato Expo attendees participating in a corn hole tournament during the expo in Denver.

Nick Kingston and Nick Proia of Kingston Fresh.

At the Fox Solutions booth were Jacob Fox, Victoria Lopez and Dylan Fox.

Alex Docherty of Skye View Farms with Becky Townshend and Greg Donald of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board.

Ted Allen, host of the Food Network’s Chopped and Chopped Junior, served as em-cee of the This Spud’s for You – Celebrity Chef Edition, with the team of Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary and Duff Goldman of Food Network fame.

RJ Harvey, culinary director of Potatoes USA, and Simon Majumdar, food writer, author, cook and Food Network star, prepare their potato-based dishes under the watchful eye of Ted Allen during the This Spud’s for You – Celebrity Chef Edition competition.

RJ Harvey, culinary director of Potatoes USA, and Simon Majumdar, food writer, author, cook and Food Network star, show off the winning belt for their potato creation.

Duff Goldman of Food Network fame and Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary celebrated their victory in the mashed potato portion of the This Spud’s for You – Celebrity Chef Edition competition.

Contestants and judges of the This Spud’s for You – Celebrity Chef Edition competition at the conclusion of the event.

John Groh

About John Groh |

John Groh graduated from the University of San Diego in 1989 with a bachelors of arts degree in English. Following a brief stint as a sportswriter covering the New York Giants football team, he joined The Produce News in 1995 as an assistant editor and worked his way up the ranks, becoming publisher in 2006. He and his wife, Mary Anne, live in northern New Jersey in the suburbs of New York City.

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