It’s All About the Food at Potato Expo

Do you have a passion for potatoes? I do, and one of the highlights of my year is hosting the Spud Nation Throwdown at Potato Expo. The 2017 Spud Nation Throwdown, held this year in San Francisco in January, took place for the second year in a row. At Spud Nation, an exciting fusion of tastes, cultures and flavors are served up from a diverse group of international chefs who incorporate potatoes into dishes inspired by their own distinctive culinary experiences.  

The annual competition showcased unique recipes that blended traditional Asian and Western foods. Four chefs, selected from around the globe, were all known for creative takes on using potatoes in their respective local cuisines. Some of those present at the Throwdown were chefs, as well as cookbook authors, TV and radio hosts, and "Top Chef" television show winners.

The chefs who competed in this year's Spud Nation Throwdown were Tony de Graaf, from Taiwan, who dished up a Potato Involtini with Taiwanese Sausage; Doris Goldgewicht, from Costa Rica, with her Potato Picadillo; Ian Kittichai, from Thailand, cooking up his Beef Massaman Curry; and Wandy Robles, from the Dominican Republic, who batted cleanup with a receipe for Potato Mofongo. Kittichai took top honors.

But for those of you who missed the event itself, don't miss out on what this brilliant showcase of food has to offer in terms of recipes, ideas and potato inspiration. Be sure to check out Potato-expo.com for photos of the competition, as well as the chefs' recipes. It's the kind of trade event that adds excitement to the industry and reminds us that it's all about the food.