Two Basic American Foods Potato Products Earn Acf Seal Of Approval

The American Culinary Federation, Inc. (ACF), the nation's premier organization for professional chefs and cooks, has awarded Walnut Creek, Calif.-based Basic American Foods' Potato Pearls? Premium Gold Mashed Potatoes and Redskin Mashed Potatoes its Seal of Approval. The products were submitted for extensive testing and were approved by members of ACF's Seal of Approval committee, effective January 10, 2011.

"Our Potato Pearls' Premium Gold Mashed Potatoes and Redskin Mashed Potatoes were developed with the highest flavor and performance standards of the nation's most talented chefs in mind," said Robin Jensen, director of marketing, Basic American Foods. "Like the chefs and operators we serve, we want their customers to return again and again-and we're here to help. That's why we're proud to bear ACF's Seal on these unique and exceptional potato products."

Keith Davis, CEC, AAC, chair of the ACF Seal of Approval committee, applied the organization's rigorous testing criteria to the product. The committee evaluated the product's physical performance, performance when various cooking methods were applied, adaptability, and accuracy of labels and marketing materials.

"The products were tested using several preparation methods, including a variety of mashed potato dishes and casseroles," said Davis. "ACF is proud to award these two Basic American Foods products the ACF Seal of Approval."

The ACF Seal of Approval program offers foodservice manufacturers the opportunity to have products endorsed by the premier organization of professional chefs in the U.S. Unlike other entities that offer tasting endorsements only, the ACF Seal requires extensive product testing and evaluation. After three years, ACF determines if the product needs to be retested.

Made from gold-fleshed potatoes, Potato Pearls' Premium Gold Mashed Potatoes rated high in taste tests in terms of flavor, texture and appearance. This quick-prep product delivers a dense, creamy texture with a rich golden color. Potato Pearls' Premium Redskin Mashed Potatoes offer everything operators want in a premium redskin mashed potato without all the work. With slight sweet notes and a generous blending of skins, Potato Pearls' Premium Redskin Mashed pairs beautifully with the most upscale offerings while adding on-trend menu variety.

Premium Pearls' Premium Gold Mashed and Redskin Mashed are specially made to enhance menu value and plate appeal; boost sales, check averages and profitability; perform consistently every time; eliminate labor and waste; store conveniently and with less space; and save time-from package to plate in three to seven minutes.

About Basic American Foods
Family owned and operated since 1933, Basic American Foods is a global leader in providing value-added, branded dry potato and bean products to foodservice. Its principal brands delivering preparation convenience with scratch-like taste include Potato Pearls, Golden Grill, Classic Casserole and Santiago.

About the American Culinary Federation
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning 225 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation. In addition, ACF operates the most comprehensive certification program for chefs in the United States, with the Certified Executive Chef designation the only culinary credential accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ACF is home to ACF Culinary Team USA, the official representative for the United States in major international culinary competitions, and to the Chef & Child Foundation, founded in 1989 to promote proper nutrition in children and t