Lewes native Ross Thompson wins Riviana Foods Fried Rice Competition, advances to nationals
Ross Thompson, certified sous chef of Oneonta, N.Y., recently won Riviana Foods What’s in your Wok? Fried Rice Competition, held during the 2012 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Northeast Regional Conference at The Conference Center Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, N.Y., April 28–30.
Thompson, the son of Allanora and Harry Thompson of Lewes, is sous chef at The Plains at Parish Homestead, Oneonta, and is a member of ACF Chefs and Cooks of the Catskill Mountains.
“This was the first ACF competition that I have participated in," said Thompson. “It was fast-paced - I competed in this competition as well as the Galbani Mozzarella Caprese Challenge - but it was fun and worth all the effort. It means a lot to win, because I have worked hard to keep up my ACF certification and I really want to put my name out there as a chef.”
In the regional competition, Thompson and three other contestants had 20 minutes to create four servings of an original fried-rice dish that featured Minute Rice, white or brown. They were judged on originality, clarity and format, ingredients and cooking methods, main-dish tableside cooking techniques and creative presentation. Thompson won $250 for his dish, African Fried Rice. He will advance to the national finals taking place during the 2012 ACF National Convention in Orlando, Fla., in July for a shot at $1,000.
The 2012 ACF Northeast Regional Conference, hosted by ACF of Greater Buffalo, N.Y., brought more than 500 chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals to Niagara Falls. The conference provided attendees with opportunities to advance their professional development and enhance their culinary skills through business seminars, cooking demonstrations featuring the latest trends and techniques, cooking competitions and awards.
Thompson is a 2006 Cape Henlopen High School graduate and a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts, where he was named to the dean's list.
