Rising to recipe challenges

• Independent family restaurant operators have until September 30, 2014, to enter their favorite original breakfast, entrée or dessert recipes for a chance to win up to $50,000 ($40,000 cash and a $10,000 charitable donation) in the Neighborhood to Nation™ Recipe Contest sponsored by General Mills Foodservice.  For details about entering the contest, visit www.NeighborhoodtoNation.com.

Frozen Roasted Tomato Bisque

• September 15, 2014, is the deadline for foodservice professionals to craft a masterpiece cocktail for the “Flavor Your Way to $5,000” recipe contest sponsored by The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley. To take the flavor challenge, visit the contest page, request complimentary samples and get started crafting your recipe.

• Chef consultant Michael Garahan of Joliet, IL, took home the top honors in the National Mango Board’s 2014 Mangover Your Menu foodservice recipe contest. His winning recipe, Shrimp and Mango Gumbo, received the $1,500 Grand Prize.

• Frozen Roasted Tomato Bisque earned the $1,500 Grand Prize in the Florida Tomato Committee’s 25th Annual “Best of the Best” recipe contest for Canadian culinary students. Jarrod Oglan, in his second year of internship at The Culinary Institute of Canada, created a savory twist to a frozen treat, featuring roasted tomato flavor, a smooth texture and notes of garlic, balsamic and basil combined with a red chili kick.