August 5, 2009
Florida Alligator Takes Center Stage At Florida Restaurant And Lodging Show
The spotlight is focusing on exotic Florida alligator for the 2nd Annual Alligator Signature Recipe Competition at the 2009 Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Show in Orlando, September 11-13, 2009. Organized by the Central Florida Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the cook-off will feature up to 20 ACF- accredited chefs from Florida competing for top culinary honors with their best alligator recipes and presentations. For many of these chefs, it will be their first time creating recipes for this exotic meat that is gaining popularity in restaurants across the country.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Alligator Marketing and Education Committee (FAME) are sponsoring the culinary competition and the Florida alligator information booth for the three-day show. At booth 11763, Florida alligator industry representatives will be on hand to provide product information and trade resources. Visitors can also sample tasty alligator bites prepared by Culinary Specialist Tom Thomas and receive recipe brochures.
Alligator rocketed to star status last year with the 1st Annual Alligator Signature Recipe Competition at the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Show 2008. Chef Michael Priola of Apollo Beach Racquet Club in Brandon captured top honors. Chef Jason Hall of Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Orlando and Peter Olsacher of Bahama Breeze in Winter Park placed second and third, respectively. Their winning recipes along with additional Florida alligator recipes can be found at http://www.fl-seafood.com/recipes/alligator_recipes.htm.
Florida alligator farmers and FAME member companies represented at this year’s event are Gatorama of Palmdale, Parker Island Gator Farm of Lake Placid, and Fagan Alligator Products of Dade City.
For more information:
Barbera Turnbull
(850) 488-0163
turnbub@doacs.state.fl.us
