Wisconsin Potato Chef Competition
2019

Wisconsin Potato Growers Compete in a Potato Chef Competition
Wisconsin potato growers utilized potato performance materials while inspiring many consumers and foodservice professionals to cook potatoes in new and unexpected ways. In the summer of 2019, three potato growers each paired up with a chef to go head-to-head in the Wisconsin Potato Chef Competition at the Elkhorn Rib Fest. The three teams had to prepare a potato-centric appetizer, main dish, and dessert in a set timeframe only using a smoker and Bunsen burner. To further add to the challenge, each course also required the use of a mystery ingredient, announced immediately before the cookoff. These were Wisconsin-grown cranberries for the appetizer, Wisconsin-grown ginseng for the main dish, and Wisconsin-produced honey for the dessert. Onlookers were intrigued to see what the teams would come up with, especially for the dessert category since most never paired potatoes with dessert before. Once attendees made their way to the cooking competition spot, they immediately saw the potato performance messaging on the tent and banners, which sparked questions and presented potatoes in a new frame-of-mind. Even at events like this, the potato nutrition story can be shared!