MenuMasters - 2014

I had the pleasure of being commissioned again by Ventura Foods to do a painting and set of prints for the 2014 MenuMasters Awards Ceremonies held May 17th at the beautiful Drake Hotel in Chicago. The MenuMasters Awards Ceremonies recognize visionary and creative foodservice professionals in Research & Development, Culinary and Menu Development. Awards are given to those who enhance the value of foodservice to consumers with exciting, industry-building innovations and breakthrough ideas. More than 300 culinary professionals attend the MenuMasters Awards Ceremonies each May. The gala event is presented by Nation's Restaurant News and sponsored by Ventura Foods.

The entire weekend was phenomenal, the Ventura Foods and Nation’s Restaurant News teams work incredibly hard to put on an absolutely spectacular event. As you’d expect at a culinary awards event there’s an abundance of amazing food, wine, and great people. I had a wonderful time meeting and talking with hundreds of folks at the after party where I also personalized their prints. A couple of notable winners were this year's top "Chef/Innovator”, Michael Smith, and the Hall of Fame inductees, Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger of the critically acclaimed Border Grill restaraunts in Southern California and Las Vegas. You may also recognize them from The Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales” and Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters”.

A special thanks to Ventura Foods and Nation’s Restaurant News for the opportunity and experience. I am excited and proud to have been a part of this incredible event.

Here is an image of the commissioned painting, "Golden Hours".  Attendees received a signed and numbered giclée print of the piece as a gift.