Ford's Produce Supply Update

March 8,2010

Chile last week was the most powerful ever on record. 

Tomato markets continue to climb, even as January’s freezes become a distant memory.

Idaho and most other varieties of potatoes remain a bargain.

Storage supplies of onions are dwindling, and at the same time we’re starting to see a few harvests of Mexican new crop onions.

Other vegetables that typically come out of Florida this time of year like peppers, cucumbers, beans, and squashes are all extremely tight right now.

FDA Food Safety Alerts & Recalls

Ford's Produce is Superior Rated!

Fords Produce Facebook Fan Page

Chef of the Month Executive Chef Michael Elsner

Chef ElsnerCurrent Position: Executive Chef – Hilton North Raleigh, Raleigh, NC

Formerly: Flag Restaurants for Stouffer Hotel, Hilton Hotel, Adam’s
Mark and Omni Hotel, and several other Four Star restaurants.

Years in a Kitchen: 31

Training: The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

Fare: Classical French

Signature Dish: Unilateral Salmon (One salmon filet prepared with two temperatures, two colors, two textures, and two flavors)

Awards: “Culinary Hall of Fame ranking at Chef2Chef.net (a forum created for culinarians by culinarians to share advice, recipes, and aspirations)."

Chef’s Cooking Style: Classic Fench Cuisine

Proudest Accomplishment: “I’ve cooked for 5 US Presidents and many celebrities, been featured on the Good Morning America Show, Awarded Chef of the Year by Restaurateur Magazine.” Chef Elsner also has cooked for the Winston-Salem National Black Theatre Festival, the Crosby and Vantage Golf Tournament in Winston Salem."

Biggest Challenge as a Chef: “Having a full kitchen and dining room staff. Training them and keeping them.”

Best Advice to Others in Foodservice: ““Stay Focused for what you want in the culinary field.”

Family: Wife of 33 years, three sons and three grandchildren.

Hobbies: “When not in the kitchen Chef Elsner helps to raise money for various local and national charities, including the Chef2Chef scholarship fund. Chef Elsner also enjoys instructing in the Culinary Program at Guilford Technical Community College. In his spare time he takes pleasure in woodworking and building furniture.

Executive Chef Michael Elsner

We look forward to serving you.