What's New in Rice Archive

USA Rice Sponsors CIA Leadership Culinary Forum; California Rice Commission’s Annual SushiMasters Competition

Culinary visionaries in foodservice and agriculture gathered in Napa Valley September 10-13 for The Culinary Institute of America ’s Annual Leadership Forum, entitled “Flavor, Quality & American Menus.” Through a field-to-plate exchange of ideas and insights, the event helps foodservice operators develop ways to satisfy their customers’ demands for flavor, variety and sustainability. U.S.-grown rice is a perfect ingredient in their endeavors due to its versatility and global authenticity.

As a part of the USA Rice Federation’s mission of education, the association sponsored the event for the second year in a row, as well as used the forum as a platform to launch its newest resource, MenuRice.com. USA Rice also participated in key events, including a Sponsor Exchange & Networking Reception that fostered discussion between the sponsors and attending chefs on how to best increase their menu offerings, profitability and customer appeal. A hands-on Market Basket Experience grouped the chefs and sponsors into teams that utilized sponsors’ products to create innovative new menu ideas. Watch one team’s culinary exploration.

Chefs on a Roll at California Rice Commission’s Annual SushiMasters Competition Chef Shinji Nakamura Takes Top Prize

On September 18, Chef Jerry Warner of Café Japengo, San Diego, returned to Sacramento to defend his 2005 SushiMaster title at the ….. He won in the Signature Roll category, but ultimately a new SushiMaster prevailed by the end of the night. The 2006 title was awarded to Chef Shinji Nakamura of Sanraku Four Seasons in San Francisco. Nakamura displayed his mastery of sushi and knowledge of California medium grain rice to present innovative and award winning creations.

In the United States, sushi is made using short and medium grain japonica rice, of which California is the number one producer.

Maki Sushi

The California Rice Commission hosted the annual SushiMasters California State Sushi Competition, featuring the state’s best Sushi chefs going head-to-head in a live Sushi making competition before a sold-out audience of fans. Chefs from Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Diego competed for the $5,000 purse, and more importantly, and the title of “SushiMaster”.
Want to become a SushiMaster? Try your hand at making Maki Sushi.