Woodland Foods Announces Launch of New Culinary Services Department Led by Named Corporate Executive Chef Jeffrey Troiola

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Aug 02, 2011, 04:20 ET

GURNEE, Ill., Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodland Foods®, the nation's leading wholesaler of dried food products, is excited to announce its new Culinary Services Department, led by a renowned Corporate Executive Chef, Jeffrey Troiola.

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Chef Troiola's expertise in the culinary arts derives from more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality business. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Troiola has served as Executive Chef of the prestigious Crescent Club at the Cresent Court Hotel of the Rosewood family of hotels, The University Club of Chicago, The Hotel Jerome, Aspen and Cafe 21, Chicago. Troiola has been recognized by the International Food & Wine Society, Esquire and Food and Wine Magazines. He has helped organize the Aspen Food & Wine Festival several times and opened restaurants with renowned Chef Joachin Splichal.

Chef Troiola will work with Woodland Foods' customers to introduce new products and reinforce staple products. Also, Troiola will mentor and initiate menu development by helping companies successfully incorporate Woodland Foods ingredients into their offerings and products lines, develop new product blends and create extensive recipe libraries. The Culinary Services Group will also serve as a resource to Woodland Foods by providing extensive training to the staff, heavily concentrating on the sales team.

Craig Speed, President of Woodland Foods commented, "Our goal is to provide an opportunity for customers and prospects to spend time in our state-of-the-art Culinary Center working with our products and Chefs. Over time, we hope to create a think tank of culinary minds, surrounding specialty natural products and their applications. All are invited to participate in that process."

Woodland Foods specializes in natural ingredients and product innovation by utilizing global sourcing, custom blending and custom processing. Woodland Foods brands are packaged under the following labels: Woodland Foods®, D'allesandro®, D'allesandro Organics®, Epicurean Specialty® and Manitou Trading Co.®. Offerings include: dried, kibbled and powdered mushrooms, chiles, chile paste and powders, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs and spices, distinctive grains and rices, flavored couscous and orzo, polenta, heirloom beans, lentils, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, truffle products and oils, sea salts and more.

To find out more, please visit www.woodlandfoods.com

SOURCE Woodland Foods