Photos from Day 2 at MenuDirections 2014

The keynote speaker Gerry Ludwig.

Attendee sampling at a workshop.

Jehangir Mehta, of Graffiti Restaurant, conducting the Mushrooms & Health workshop.

Yale’s Ron Desantis speaks at the Barilla workshop.

Oklahoma State’s Terry Baker samples offerings in a workshop.

Crabcakes from King & Prince.

Joanne Kinsey, of Chesapeake Public Schools, visits the Clear Springs table.

Monday’s vendor fair.

The culinary competition kicks off.

Culinary competition team: Justin Gillette, Atlanta Public Schools, and Steve Pexton, Rex Healthcare.

MC Stephen Gericke talks with Melissa Martinez, Michigan State University, and Darla Mehrkens, Carilion Clinic.

Culinary competition team: Tom Sewell, Florida Blue, and Paul Nicolini, PennState University-Scranton.

Culinary competition team: Robert Winther, Twin Lakes Retirement Community, and Joe Kraft, Morrison Management, plate their dishes.

Darla Mehrkens and Melissa Martinez plate up.

The judges: Annemarie Vaupel, Andrew Hunter, Eric Henry, Peter Fischbach and Darrick Henry.

Kraft and Winther’s dish: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Vegetable Mushroom Duxelle, Garbanzo Bean and Black Bean Cake, Lemon Plum and Blueberry Compote with Greens Dressed with Wasabi Vinaigrette.

Sewell and Nicolini’s dish: Pork Loin Marinated in Sriracha Chili Sauce & Carolina Blonde Bean Sauce, over Housemade Black Bean Noodles Tossed with Orange Sauce and Fresh Vegetables.

Gillette and Pexton’s dish: Ponzu Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Sriracha Mayo, Garlic-Wasabi Black Bean Mash and Pickled Plums. 

Mehrkens and Martinez’s winning dish: Pan-Fried Pork Tenderloin with Blueberry-Plum-Wasabi BBQ Sauce, Baked Beans with Red Peppers, Garlic, Onion, Sriracha and Parsley, and Creamed Spinach.

The awards dinner reception.

A toast to start the banquet.

Simplot’s Tim Long congratulates Darin Leonardson, of Golden Living, the winner of the Steal This Idea competition.

The winners of the culinary competition: Darla Mehrkens and Melissa Martinez, with Editorial Director Paul King.

Rafi Taherian, with Editor Becky Schilling and Hormel’s Annemarie Vaupel.

Iraj Fernando, of Southern Foodservice Management Inc. at Bosch LLC.

Eileen Staples, of Greenville County Schools.

Diane Imrie, of Fletcher Allen Health Care.

Gary Coltek, of Kennesaw State University.

Sam Austin, of Prairie Village.

Cedric Junearick, of Huntsville Hospital.

Terry Baker, of Oklahoma State University.

The FSD of the Year is Yale’s Rafi Taherian.

Taherian gives his acceptance speech.

FSD of the Month honorees.