NFSEM: September's National Food Safety Education Month Kicks Off at The NAFEM Show in New Orleans

Chef Paul Prudhomme Helps Kick off National Food Safety Education Month at NAFEM Show

Chef Paul to make a guest cooking appearance to discuss the importance of food safety education

CHICAGO - To underscore the importance of September's National Food Safety Education Month, Chef Paul Prudhomme, owner of K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen in New Orleans and creator of Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Seasoning Blends, will help the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's (NRAEF) International Food Safety Council promote this important initiative at this year's North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) Show, in New Orleans, September 5-7. Chef Paul, who is a past spokesperson for National Food Safety Education Month, will demonstrate his exceptional culinary skills while educating onlookers on the importance of September's National Food Safety Education Month on Saturday, September 6, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, in the Solution Center, located on the Exhibit Hall Floor.

"We are honored to have world-renowned Chef Paul join us to kick off National Food Safety Education Month," said Mary M. Adolf, president and chief operating officer of the NRAEF. "Chef Paul has an amazing ability to mesmerize people with his unparalleled passion for this industry. We appreciate his ongoing support of the NRAEF and its initiatives."

"As the 2001 spokesperson for National Food Safety Education Month, Chef Paul was able to generate significant awareness of this important initiative," said John Farquharson, FMP, president on the International Food Safety Council. "Chef Paul is a legend in the restaurant industry and we commend his involvement with us on getting the word out to our industry that food safety is non-negotiable."

Along with Chef Paul's cooking demonstration, the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council will host an educational seminar, a ServSafeÒ Training class with certification and engage attendees with hands-on activities and contests pertaining to this year's National Food Safety Education Month theme: "Store it. Don't ignore it," which focuses on proper procedures to storing food safely. The activities will take place in the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council booth, #431.

Created by the NRAEF's International Food Safety Council, the ninth annual, month-long campaign focuses on the importance of food safety education for the restaurant and foodservice industry and raises awareness of the industry's commitment to food safety.

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The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the educational mission of the National Restaurant Association. As the nation's largest private sector employer, the restaurant and foodservice industry is the cornerstone of the American economy, of career-and-employment opportunities, and of local communities. Focusing on three key strategies of risk management, recruitment, and retention, the NRAEF is the premier provider of educational resources, materials, and programs, which address attracting, developing and retaining the industry's workforce. Sales from all NRAEF products and services benefit the industry by directly supporting the NRAEF's educational initiatives. For more information on the NRAEF, visit www.nraef.org.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's International Food Safety Council is an initiative focused on heightening the awareness of the importance of food safety education. Founding Sponsors: American Egg Board, Cattlemen's Beef Board and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (CBB/NCBA), ECOLAB, Inc., FoodHandler Inc., Heinz North America, San Jamar, SYSCO Corporation, Tyson Foods, Inc. Campaign Sponsors: Bunzl Distribution, Inc., Cargill, Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Cooper-Atkins Corporation, Farquharson Enterprises, Ltd., Jones Dairy Farm, Monsanto Company, North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, Orkin Commercial, Produce Marketing Association (PMA), The Procter & Gamble Company, UBF Foodsolutions, U.S. Foodservice.