Premier Honors Hospital Chef

Premier Healthcare Alliance has named Erick Neuharth, executive chef at St. Helena (CA) Hospital the winner of its 2009 Culinary Creations Award. Neuharth was selected by more than 300 of his peers at Premier’s annual Foodservice Forum, held in conjunction with its 2009 Annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition, which drew more than 2,000 healthcare systems and supplier attendees to Anaheim June 16-19.

Neuharth was among five finalists whose award-nominated dishes were prepared for all Foodservice Forum attendees to enjoy at the annual banquet on June 17. Attendees voted during the meal for their favorite entree, selecting Neuharth’s roasted red pepper lasagna roulade with house made tomato sauce and alfredo as the winner.

The four other finalists and their entrees were…

• Michael Kiley, director of nutrition and food service at Glen Clove (NY) Hospital (orzo paella primavera);

• Patty Brezany, food service director at The Wellington, The Alton in Saint Paul, MN (Southwest manicotti);

• Ron Hall, executive chef at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA (Tuscan style beef with gemelli); and

• Kris Saradpon, assistant productions manager at San Diego State University (penne pasta in a sun-dried tomato light cream sauce, green asparagus tips, garlic shrimp, smoked sausage, and grilled lemon-rosemary chicken breast).