Mar 23, 2016
WASHINGTON, DC -- This weekend, the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) held its annual conference to facilitate an exchange of information, knowledge, and inspiration within the professional food community. In attendance were hundreds of culinary professionals including, chefs, food media, culinary school instructors, food writers, marketers, nutritionists, and academics.
Keynote speakers included José Andrés, an internationally acclaimed chef, and a panel from National Geographic discussing the future of food.
"Food and food sourcing are hot topics right now and USA Rice needs to get in on the conversation," said Katie Maher, USA Rice's manager of domestic promotion programs. "There's an opportunity to include farmers in this discussion to leverage the 'grown in the USA' message and tell the rice industry's sustainability story."
Other noteworthy topics at the conference included consumer attitudes data and food trend forecasts.
"Tapping into the evolving marketplace and understanding the needs of today's culinary audience is important," said Maher. "It helps USA Rice gather new ideas to support our goal of creating awareness for U.S. rice while at the same time advancing the dialog between chefs and the farmers they rely on to produce fresh, healthy, high quality ingredients."
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444