Entries in the 2014 Discover Duck Recipe Contest proved that the possibilities with duck are boundless. Concepts ranging from Latin-influenced entrées to decadent desserts and upscale state-fair favorites captured the attention of judges who awarded more than $19,000 in cash and prizes. Sponsored by Maple Leaf Farms, the annual contest challenged professional chefs and culinary students to produce original recipes showcasing Maple Leaf Farms duck. More than 260 recipes from across the country were submitted.

“This contest gives chefs and culinary students a chance to showcase their culinary talent and creativity,” said Maple Leaf Farms’ director of marketing, Cindy Turk. “Each year we look forward to seeing a lot of innovative and inspired recipes, and we have never been disappointed.”

Duck & Sweet Plantain Lasagna Pastelon captured the Chef Category Grand Prize, earning executive chef Daniel Ramos of Quail Ridge Country Club, Boynton Beach, Fla., $10,000. Chef Dennis Chan of Blue Bamboo, Jacksonville, Fla., claimed the second-place prize of $1,000 with his Peruvian Duck Ceviche.

Additional finalists included Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream created by executive chef Eric Lackey of Ulele, Tampa, Fla.; Quacker Jacks by lead chef instructor Tom Chamot of New York Wine & Culinary Center, Canandaigua; and Savory Duck Confit Cannoli by production chef Stephen Belin of Georgia Southern University/Lakeside Café, Statesboro, Ga.

The Culinary Institute of America and Half Moon Theatre, the Hudson Valley’s leading year-round professional theatre company, recently announced a new partnership that will bring New York-style theatrical performances to the Hyde Park campus. The CIA’s new 800-seat, state-of-the-art Ecolab Auditorium in the Marriott Pavilion makes it possible for visitors to enjoy a meal in either the The Bocuse Restaurant, American Bounty or Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici prior to experiencing one of Half Moon Theatre’s productions.

The CIA will offer a special pre-show, three-course, prix-fixe menu prior to each performance for $39 per person. As many of the productions will feature food themes, the CIA’s chefs will create unique menus for specific performances, giving diners an enhanced overall experience.

Now entering its eighth season, Half Moon Theatre (HMT) is a Hudson Valley-based company of local actors, directors, playwrights, designers and producers who have also worked extensively in New York, Los Angeles and at regional theaters around the country. HMT has produced world-premiere plays, Broadway hits, an original children’s opera and an annual 10 Minute Play Festival.

Twenty restaurants across the United States were recipients of 2014 Achievement of Excellence Awards from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) this summer. Three of them are on The Culinary Institute of America’s Hyde Park, N.Y. campus: American Bounty Restaurant, The Bocuse Restaurant, and Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici. In addition, nine CIA graduates were honored at the organization’s awards event held during the ACF national conference in Kansas City, Mo., in July.

“Achievement of Excellence Awards are presented to foodservice establishments that go above and beyond to promote the culinary industry and provide customers with a rewarding experience,” said ACF President Thomas J. Macrina, a 1976 CIA alumnus. “The Culinary Institute of America’s commitment to providing hands-on learning opportunities for its students through these restaurants is noteworthy.”

The National Restaurant Association recently unveiled its comprehensive food-handling training guide for Feeding America’s broad network of food-bank employees, agency staff and volunteers. The “ServSafe Food Handler Guide for Food Banking” is a customized program designed to educate Feeding America’s 200 food banks and more than 60,000 agencies on the proper implementation of food handling and safety.

The NRA’s ServSafe team worked together with Feeding America to survey operators within the Feeding America network, conduct focus groups with participation from more than 20 food banks across the country, and tour network agencies and food banks in order to better understand Feeding America’s operations. 

Discover homegrown American lamb stories and recipes to inspire your menu. A new booklet from the American Lamb Board shares information on American lamb from shepherds to chefs across the country. The booklet also includes chef-developed recipes including chorizo-spiced lamb loin and merguez flatbread. To order your fee copy of the booklet, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The National Mango Board announces the release of a new tool to inspire menu innovation, Mango Flavor Pairing Guide. The guide was developed to create excitement about fresh mango as a versatile ingredient, the key to innovation all across menus, all year ’round. The mango pairings showcase complementary and contrasting sensory combinations from familiar to surprising.

The mango is known for its glorious yellow-orange flesh that can taste sweet, tart or slightly spicy with a texture that runs the gamut from crisp to lush. As today’s culinary teams explore exciting flavor combinations and innovative menu options, they’re finding more and better places for fresh mango. In green mango and grilled steak salad, Chef Ben Randolph, The Broadway Hotel, Columbia, Mo., combines the tropical appeal of fresh mango, grilled beef and Asian flavors to surprise and delight diners.

To view or download the Mango Flavor Pairing Guide, visit www.mango.org/foodservice/mango-flavor-pairings-guide. For in-depth product information, designed to help achieve menu success with fresh mango, visit www.mango.org/foodservice.