News

Au Bon Pain participates in California Strawberry Commission workshop

August 3, 2012

Last week, the California Strawberry Commission hosted a culinary workshop for select restaurant chain corporate chefs, menu developers and buyers. The two-and-a-half day event included field, cooler and processor tours; expert speakers; hands-on culinary sessions; and a Market Basket Challenge encouraging chefs to create new menu concepts for their restaurants.

Participating chains included Au Bon Pain, as well as Wendy's, Brinker/Maggiano's Little Italy, Hard Rock Café and Legal Sea Foods LLC.

"Strawberries, with their universal appeal and powerful package of nutrients, are an ideal ingredient to help operators achieve their taste and nutrition-related goals," said Chris Christian, vice president of Marketing, California Strawberry Commission. "Our goal is to ensure California strawberries are top-of-mind among menu developers and are a preferred 'go-to' solution to meet consumer demand for more flavor-packed, healthful options."

California is the largest producer of strawberries in the U.S., with hundreds of family farms providing year-round availability.