The Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF) is thrilled to announce the 2024 National Healthcare Foodservice Culinary Champions, Wes Lieberher and Mynor Garcia from Endeavor Health in Naperville, IL with their Blackened Honey & Pecan Glazed Catfish. The duo from Endeavor Health received gold medals at this year’s AHF National Culinary Competition, held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas. Chef Lieberher and Chef Garcia received a standing ovation when honored during the Conference’s closing gala for their demonstration of exceptional culinary skills and creativity during the culinary competition.
In addition to the team from Endeavor, two other teams received medals following the competition. Brian Dixson and Brianne George from Geisinger Medical Center Muncy were awarded silver medals for their second-place finish with a Pan-Seared Venison with Blackberry-Infused Bordelaise Sauce. Joshua Sabedra and DeCleasha Martin from INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center earned bronze medals for their Venison Rack with Herb Polenta and Golden Berry Kale Salad. Additionally, Michael Secaur and Faith Werling from Adams Health Network, with their Honey Lime Chicken Thigh with Mole and Spanish Rice, and Trina Burks and Maria Gisselle Ortiz from Bethany Children's Health Center, with their Harissa-Crusted Catfish with Wheat Berry Salad, received Honorable Mentions.
Throughout the AHF National Conference and the AHF National Culinary Competition, all five finalist teams were celebrated for their remarkable achievements, having been selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across the country to compete on the national stage. All five teams demonstrated excellence in culinary innovation, nutrition, and cost management, earning their place as leaders in healthcare foodservice, senior dining, and hospitality.
Each team tackled the challenge of creating an original recipe under strict guidelines, utilizing a market basket concept combined with a mystery ingredient that was revealed just 24-hours before the competition. This year, the mystery ingredient, tamarind, added a unique and complex flavor profile that tested the chefs' creativity and skill. Teams were required to select at least one item from Market Basket A and two or more ingredients from Market Basket B, while ensuring their dishes met specific nutritional and cost criteria while showcasing the versatility of tamarind.
The unique demands of healthcare foodservice and senior dining, combined with the rigorous challenges of this competition, make the AHF National Culinary Competition the ultimate platform for chefs in the industry to showcase their culinary expertise, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
The 2024 Culinary Competition Winners:
Gold Medal
Wes Lieberher and Mynor Garcia
Endeavor Health
Recipe Name: Blackened Honey & Pecan Glazed Catfish
Silver Medal
Brian Dixson and Brianne George
Geisinger Medical Center Muncy
Recipe Name: Pan-Seared Venison with Blackberry-Infused Bordelaise Sauce
Bronze Medal
Joshua Sabedra and DeCleasha Martin
INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center
Recipe Name: Venison Rack with Herb Polenta and Golden Berry Kale Salad
Honorable Mentions:
Michael Secaur and Faith Werling
Adams Health Network
Recipe Name: Honey Lime Chicken Thigh with Mole and Spanish Rice
Trina Burks and Maria Gisselle Ortiz
Bethany Children's Health Center
Recipe Name: Harissa-Crusted Catfish with Wheat Berry Salad and Asparagus and Red Bell Peppers
Recipe Download: www.cloudfood.us/ahf
The 2024 AHF Culinary Competition Judges:
Chef Jared Hunter
Executive Chef
MD Anderson Cancer Center
2023 AHF National Culinary Champion
Chef Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos
Chief Growth Officer
CHOW: Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness
Chef Matthew Ward
Executive Chef of Residential Dining
University of North Texas Dining Services
Chef Brian West
Owner
Chef Brian West, Inc.
"The Voice of Texas Cuisine"
Chef Aatul Jain
Executive Chef
Saint Peter’s University Hospital
