Sodexo Chef Jesse Kraft of St. Barnabas Medical Center Preps for Low-Impact Throw Down at the James Beard House

LIVINGSTON, N.J., May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Chef Jesse Kraft of St. Barnabas Medical Center was named one of five finalists in Sodexo's Recipes for a Better Tomorrow Culinary Competition, where chefs were tasked with creating appealing dishes that have a low environmental impact, supporting Sodexo's goals for the environment, community, health and wellness. Chef Kraft's recipe for pan seared cod filet with beet vinaigrette and pumpkin quinoa risotto secured his opportunity to advance to the finals, where he will compete against four other finalists at the James Beard House in New York on May 18.

"We are pleased to see our chefs showcase their culinary talent by creating great tasting dishes that also help sustain the planet," said Arlin Wasserman, vice president of sustainability and CSR, Sodexo. "Making sustainable food choices delicious and appealing is critical to fostering the behavioral change we need to create a better tomorrow. This is true in every setting where we operate from health care to education to corporate campuses."

Chef Kraft was one of more than 150 chefs and twelve semi-finalists who participated in Sodexo's Recipes for a Better Tomorrow Culinary Competition. Semi-finalists created short videos to showcase their recipes, which were posted to Sodexo's CSR Channel on YouTube where visitors voted for their favorites. The site garnered more than 11,300 views over two weeks. Five chefs were selected by popular vote and will participate in a live cook-off at the James Beard House.

To qualify for the competition, each chef's recipe had to showcase a commitment to sustainability and Sodexo's Better Tomorrow Plan. Ingredients had to comply with at least two of the following:

• Fair and responsibly traded
• Sustainably-sourced seafood
• Locally sourced products
• Sustainably grown produce
• Sustainably raised animal products
• Traceable to identify source of production

Recipes also had to meet at least two of the following additional criteria:

• Low in sugar, salt, fat
• Ability to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables
• Ability to satisfy vegan or vegetarian diets

Chef Kraft will pit his pan seared cod entree against four other finalists whose dishes include:

Ginger Salmon with Citrus Coriander Maple Glaze, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Sauteed Fiddleheads

Cider Glazed Pork Loin with White Sweet Potato and Carrot Swirl Puree

All Natural Vermont Roast Turkey with Organic Quinoa Pilaf and Citrus

Chocolate Espresso Braised Pork over Jasmine Rice with Grilled Sweet Corn & Avocado Salad

The winning recipe in Sodexo's Recipes for a Better Tomorrow Culinary Competition will be promoted to and served at Sodexo client sites in school, campus, health care, senior living, corporate and government dining facilities across North America.

For more information about Sodexo's Better Tomorrow Plan, visit www.sodexoUSA.com and click the link for Corporate Citizenship.

ABOUT SODEXO

Sodexo in North America

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On Site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $15 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions

Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being, as it has since Pierre Bellon founded the company in 1966. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of On Site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates.

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