This week we are featuring one of the winners of our Restaurant Recognition and Rewards program. He’s a culinary student from the Art Institute of Jacksonville and American Culinary Federation Student Culinarian, Patrick Donery. Check out what Patrick was able to convey about Florida strawberries in fewer than twenty-five words…
Exquisite is synonymous with strawberries, the sovereign of all berries, with their iconic colors and indelible flavors; they adapt to endless styles of cuisines.
Patrick was born and raised in Florida where he grew up surrounded by Florida strawberries. In his family’s backyard, his father grew a variety of fruits and vegetables, including Florida strawberries. Patrick even had his own strawberry plants to tend through middle school.
When fruits were in season, my father would always find someone selling ripe peaches, melons and strawberries we could enjoy together.
After receiving a bachelors degree in Anthropology from the University of Florida in 2008, Patrick started working towards his associates degree in Culinary Arts at the Art Institute. Patrick recently had the opportunity to volunteer at a James Beard Foundation dinner where he helped prepare for the dessert course by slicing eight pints of Florida strawberries!
It is always a pleasure discovering up-and-coming chefs and their love for our strawberries. We expect great things from Donery and can’t wait to share some of his original recipes featuring Florida strawberries.
