Foodland's Chang Takes FMI's Grand Chef Title

Keoni Chang of Foodland Super Markets, Ltd. in Honolulu won the title of Grand Chef for the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) Supermarket Chef Showdown, which marks the first-ever food retail industry recipe challenge recognizing the inventive, palate pleasing meals supermarkets create every day.

Chang enticed the judges with his mouthwatering dish, Deconstructed Ahi California Roll, from the Indulgent recipe category.

“After 357 submitted recipes, 20 chef finalists, four category champions and one Grand Chef, we are thrilled that FMI could provide our industry’s culinary stars a stage on which to shine,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI.

In addition to the $1,000 category prize, the Grand Chef receives admittance to a professional development course at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Of the 20 finalists invited to Dallas to battle it out, four chefs rose to the top in the judges’ minds (and stomachs) based on the following criteria: 1) Flavor (1-20 points), 2) Presentation of Food (1-20 points), 3) Creativity (1-20 points), 4) Consumer Appeal (1-20 points), 5) Showmanship (1-20 points).

The list of the other three category winners, along with their recipes, include:

Chef Brian Dunn of Roche Bros. Supermarkets with Indian Five Spice Lamb

Chef Rachael Perron of Kowalski's Markets with Spiced Orange Yogurt Parfaits

Chef Amber Pruett of Publix Super Markets, Inc. with Italian Pie