Austin Chef Debuts as US Foods “Food Fanatic”

Chef Todd Pearson to Dish Out Mouthwatering Food and Industry Insights at La Dolce Vita Food and Wine Festival

ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--US Foods, one of the country’s most innovative food companies and leading distributors, has named Austin chef Todd Pearson a US Foods Food Fanatic. Pearson competed against eight other US Foods chefs in a two-day, Iron Chef-style competition that tested culinary skills and knowledge. Pearson is only the second chef in America to earn the Food Fanatic designation.

“Serving as a Food Fanatic has created even more opportunities for me to share my experience and passion with US Foods customers.”

Chef Pearson will debut as the Food Fanatic at the La Dolce Vita Food and Wine Festival in Austin, Texas, and put his cooking skills to work by preparing fried pumpkin ravioli and potato gnocchi with lobster. He’ll also discuss the latest restaurant and menu trends.

“A passion for food is at the heart of everything we do at US Foods,” said Stuart Schuette, chief operating officer, US Foods. “We are constantly seeking out and creating new trends and innovative products to help customers thrill diners and increase sales. We’re excited to share the latest ideas and menu items with the Austin community.”

The annual La Dolce Vita Food and Wine Festival benefits education programs and The Art School at the AMOA-Arthouse. Chef Pearson’s attendance gives participants an opportunity to savor new products and flavors, and receive cooking tips for creating delicious, unforgettable meals.

As a Food Fanatic, Pearson will share cutting-edge ideas and information with chefs, restaurateurs and other foodservice operators around the country by:

• Traveling with his mini mobile kitchens to top food and culinary events;
• Providing samples of the latest trend-setting products, and gathering insights from those in the industry to help develop and launch new and innovative products;
• Hosting workshops to help identify and create business solutions;
• Providing menu analysis and consulting with restaurateurs and operators.

“Austin has such a vibrant restaurant community and I am honored to collaborate with our customers to grow and refine every aspect of their business,” said Pearson. “Serving as a Food Fanatic has created even more opportunities for me to share my experience and passion with US Foods customers.”

Food Fanatic Todd Pearson

Chef Pearson’s first job in the industry came at age 15 as a dishwasher then cook at Sizzler, where he stayed through high school. After serving in the U.S. Army, Pearson pursued his passion for food and enrolled at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Throughout his career, he worked in many areas of the culinary industry including serving as the executive sous-chef at The Boulders, a luxury golf resort and spa in Scottsdale, Arizona and teaching as a culinary instructor at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Phoenix. Before joining US Foods, Pearson served as the executive chef of The Painted Horse, a fine-dining restaurant in Scottsdale. During his time there, he overhauled the menu and in less than two years, transformed the restaurant and achieved a four-star rating. His food philosophy is to “respect the food,” and appreciate the lives that are wrapped up in food including the animals and people who grow it. Follow Chef Pearson on Twitter @cheftoddpearson and check out the Food Fanatics on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest in food.

La Dolce Vita Food and Wine Festival

US Foods is sponsoring the La Dolce Vita Food and Wine Festival on Thursday, October 11, from 6-9 p.m. at the AMOA-Arthouse at Laguna Gloria in Austin, TX. For more information on the festival, visit: http://amoa-arthouse.org/2012/la-dolce-vita/.

About US Foods

With more than $20 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America. As one of America’s great food companies and leading distributors, US Foods is Keeping Kitchens Cooking and making life easier for more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company offers more than 350,000 products, including high-quality, exclusive brands such as the innovative Chef’s Line, a time-saving, chef-inspired line of scratch-quality products, and Rykoff Sexton, a premium line of specialty ingredients sourced from around the world. US Foods also showcases its innovative food culture through The Scoop, a quarterly launch of new, on-trend products designed to make customers more successful. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.