Chefs Can Be Winners with Canned Foods

“Inspiration in a Can” contest offers student and professional chefs a chance to showcase original canned food recipes

Pittsburgh , PA. – More and more professional chefs are realizing that c anned foods offer great convenience and flavorful choices to help them come up with exciting new menu offerings. Now, chefs will get the opportunity to show off their creativity with canned foods in the “Inspiration in a Can” recipe contest sponsored by The American Iron and Steel Institute’s Steel Packaging Council.

Student and professional chefs are invited to submit original recipes that highlight the advantages and versatility of canned foods. Contestants may enter recipes that highlight canned foods as a key ingredient in one of two categories:

• All-American Regional—Canned foods such as vegetables, poultry, beans and more can be featured in anything from a hearty chicken stew with dumplings to a spicy Southwestern corn soup.

• Classic with a Twist—Update a classic menu idea with a contemporary twist; for example, spark a traditional canned tomato-based pasta sauce with unexpected seasonings, or create a striking and unusual presentation for tuna salad.

There will be one professional and one student chef winner in each category, for a total of four prizewinners. Professional chefs will be awarded $1,000 cash for their winning entries; student chefs will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Entries will be accepted from September 1^st through November 30^th, with the winning recipes to be selected by a panel of chefs and industry professionals. For contest rules and entry form, visit www.steel.org/foodservice .