USA Rice Federation Honors Chefs and Operators Who Support the U.S Rice Industry

Recognition program highlights exemplary practices in menuing and marketing U.S.-grown rice

Arlington, VA, January 14, 2009 - The USA Rice Federation, national advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry, recently launched a new “Foodservice Recognition Program” to acknowledge the efforts of innovative chefs, operators, distributors and industry professionals who creatively menu or market U.S.-grown rice. The program commenced in December in Arkansas, the number one rice-producing state accounting for nearly 50 percent of the U.S. rice crop.

The Foodservice Recognition Program was created to honor those who demonstrate originality, leadership and excellence in the foodservice industry and in the community.

“Our goal is to create strong partnerships with chefs and foodservice professionals by reinforcing how their use of U.S. rice supports farmers, millers and our economy,” said Judy Rusignuolo, USA Rice’s Director of National Consumer Education & Foodservice Marketing. “Showing our appreciation through this program is our way of thanking those individuals and organizations that are serving and promoting U.S.-grown rice.”

Honorees were presented with a Certificate of Recognition and will be:

• Announced in USA Rice Federation’s “Rice Daily” newsletter disseminated to rice industry members, media and industry influencers
• Featured on USA Rice’s foodservice Web site (www.MenuRice.com), visited by 15,000 foodservice chefs and culinary professionals each month
• Promoted as innovators and leaders in foodservice

Recipients are invited to use the new “GROWN IN THE USA” rice logo on menus or other marketing materials to showcase their ongoing dedication and support by serving U.S.-grown products in their operations.

Four outstanding Arkansas chefs and operators were recognized:

Chef Capi Peck
Owner of Trio’s and Capi’s Restaurants, Little Rock, AR
Honored for supporting the U.S. rice industry and local products for over 20 years
Trio’s, features Arkansas Basmati Rice” in several entrees on their menu, including Thai-style Shrimp Curry and Chicken or Shrimp Enchiladas with Jalapeno Rice. Peck and partner Brent Peterson are active members of the Arkansas Green Restaurant Alliance and are committed to serving local foods. www.triosrestaurant.com

Chef Mark Abernathy
Owner of Loca Luna and Bene Vita Restaurants, Little Rock, AR
Honored for innovative applications using U.S. rice
Loca Luna, a bistro, features different types of U.S. rice in creative dishes like Chiles Rellenos stuffed with Cheesy Rice, Caribbean Voodoo Stew with Rice and vegetarian favorite Delta Wraps rolled with rice, cheese, black-eyed peas and vegetables.  Abernathy is active in restaurant organizations like the Consolidated Arkansas Restaurant Industries (CARI). www.localuna.com

Chef Kathy Webb
Owner of Lilly’s Dim Sum, Little Rock, AR
Honored for supporting local foods, including U.S. organic brown rice and U.S. jasmine rice 
Lilly’s Dim Sum, a contemporary Asian restaurant features cooked-to-order dishes using U.S.-grown rice in house specialties like Hong Kong Chicken, Korean Bibim Bop, a variety of Rice Bowls, and Pineapple Fried Rice, all freshly prepared with as many local ingredients as possible. Webb and partner Nancy Tesmer are cofounders of the Arkansas Green Restaurant Alliance. www.lillysdimsum.com

Mike Flory
Executive Director of Dining Services at Hendrix College, Conway, AR
Honored for menuing U.S. rice daily during all meal/day parts
Hendrix College has an award winning foodservice operation, serving over 1,000 students three meals a day, seven days a week.  Flory says the foodservice staff and students recognize the significance of the U.S. rice industry, and enjoy rice dishes every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.hendrix.edu

“Using local/U.S. ingredients is a natural choice, it adds a special element to the dining out experience that makes everyone feel more connected and responsible”, said Capi Peck, Owner of Trio’s and Capi’s. “It’s rewarding to serve delicious, authentic meals that are good in every way for the body, the soul and the planet.”

The USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting programs to build awareness and usage of U.S.-grown rice. U.S. rice accounts for over 80% of the rice consumed in America.  It is grown and harvested by farmers in five south central states and California according to the highest quality and cleanliness standards. The U.S. produces an abundance of short, medium and long grain rice, as well as specialty rices including jasmine, basmati, arborio, red aromatic and black japonica, among others. Look for the U.S. rice industry’s Rice Grown in the USA logo on packages of 100% domestically grown rice. For more information, visit www.menurice.com