Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken and Norman Van Aken are among the celebrity chefs slated to be honored during the inaugural TORCH Awards presented by Urban Expositions, producers of the Family of Foodservice Events and the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum.
The awards recognize an individual or group of individuals whose achievements have enhanced and brought innovation to the restaurant and foodservice community in conjunction with their regional events: the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, and International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York.
"The awards are named to echo the definition of torch, referring to a valuable quality, principal or cause that needs to be protected or maintained. When reviewing nominees, we strive to honor leaders and dynamic individuals who have propelled our industry forward as well as serve as leaders in education and the sharing of knowledge," said Ferdinand Metz, CMC, Chairman of the event education programs which bear his name, and President Emeritus of the Culinary Institute of America. "The sharing of knowledge and ideas is instrumental in preserving the culinary arts and ultimately leads to more creativity and innovation".
Milliken and Feniger, chefs/owners of Border Grill & Truck, will receive the TORCH Award at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo on August 24, 2015 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Their first restaurants, City Café and CITY, featured groundbreaking, eclectic, and adventurous dishes from all over the world. That tradition continued at Ciudad, where they served dishes from around the globe enhanced with Latin flair. Both chefs are unusually approachable, winning over a broad clientele not only with their cooking, but also with their warmth and casual interaction. Natural teachers, they make the world of Mexican ingredients and authentic dishes completely fun and accessible.
Norman Van Aken, chef and founder of NORMAN'S at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lake will receive the TORCH Award on October 7, 2015 during the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show at the Orange County Convention Center. Van Aken—dubbed “the founding father of New World Cuisine" (a celebration of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African and American flavors), he is a James Beard award-winner who also is known internationally for introducing the concept of "fusion" to the culinary world.
"These awards recognize commendable professionals who trail blaze a leadership role in the restaurant and foodservice industry, along with the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum; for providing exemplary innovation; and initiating improvement and education by engaging the industry", said Ron Mathews, vice president for the Urban Expositions family of foodservice events. "The awards honor individuals whose professional accomplishments drive the industry forward."