Chef Clifford Pleau, Senior Director of Culinary for Seasons 52, the highly-acclaimed fresh grill and wine bar restaurant, will be honored by the United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) for his innovative and influential use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. One of only six chefs in the nation to be recognized, Chef Pleau will be awarded the 2011 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award for Fine Dining at UFPA’s annual convention, United Fresh 2011. Chef Pleau will be the only chef in the nation to be recognized for innovative & influential use of fresh produce in fine dining.
“I am proud to receive the United Fresh Produce Association’s recognition for excellence in fine dining,” said Pleau. “I live by the motto nothing ripens like the sun’ and feel a responsibility to educate and inspire new chefs and consumers about the importance of using high-quality, in-season ingredients when cooking.”
Spearheaded by Pleau, Seasons 52 changes its menu four times a year with weekly fresh features to truly capture the flavors of the season. Guests can enjoy the highest quality fresh food, and nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories, from the signature flatbreads and appetizers, to all entrees and the Mini Indulgence desserts, which were originally created at Seasons 52 in Orlando in 2002. Everything is prepared without compromising great taste or a rich and complete dining experience. In fact, Seasons 52’s promise of “a fresh dining experience that celebrates living well” has been consistently praised by restaurant critics across the country and people’s choice awards alike.
“Chef Pleau is the culinary mastermind behind Seasons 52’s unique approach to dining, which always offers guests something new to discover,” said Seasons 52 President Stephen Judge. “We are honored the United Fresh Produce Association is recognizing Chef Pleau and Seasons 52’s dedication to serving freshness.”
United Fresh 2011 will take place May 2-5 in New Orleans. The Foodservice Awards Program honors chefs and their companies for creativity, dedication and insight into promoting healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. This year’s winners were selected from nearly 120 nominations submitted by produce companies and foodservice operations across North America. A panel of produce and foodservice industry leaders reviewed each nominee’s incorporation of fresh produce into menu development, handling of produce, leadership in produce-related community service, and recognition by their industry peers.
Seasons 52 currently operates 17 locations in ten states across the country and will open additional restaurants in McLean, VA (Tysons Corner Center) in summer 2011; Naples, FL (Mercato Center) and Jacksonville, FL (St. Johns Town Center) in fall 2011; Oak Brook, Ill (Oakbrook Center) and Garden City, NY (Roosevelt Field) in spring 2012.
Posted by Lauren 05/1/11
