Del Monte Finds its Final Inner Chef

Del Monte Fresh Produce announces its final of four weekly aspiring chef winners for its Find Your Inner Chef online contest. The fourth and final winner is Gisele Rainville, from Drummondville, Quebec Canada. Gisele moves on to the final round and will be competing at the Cook Off Challenge in Miami, Florida, along with three other finalists. “Congratulations to our final weekly winner, Gisele Rainville,” says Dennis Christou, vice president of Marketing, North America for Del Monte. “Gisele’s winning breakfast recipe, Scones Ananas/Canneberges (Pineapple Cranberry Scones) using Del Monte fresh pineapple is a complement to our chef contest. Her breakfast scones not only demonstrate her creativity, but also a great way to incorporate fresh fruit in tasty breakfast pastries. Gisele will have the opportunity to show off her special skills in Miami as she competes against three other finalists for the grand prize.” Your Inner Chef contest encouraged consumers to participate in a fun and fresh culinary experience by creating or using their favorite recipe with Del Monte fresh fruits and vegetables. Online participants were able to earn daily prizes, including retail gift cards, culinary kitchen tools, and tabletop appliances. “I’m honored and excited to be the final weekly winner,” says Gisele Rainville. “My passion is in pastries, so my Pineapple Cranberry Scones is always a special treat. When deciding which Del Monte fresh fruit to use in my recipe, the pineapple was my first choice because they’re so fresh and juicy. I have no formal culinary skills, but learned how to bake from my mother. My goal is to win the Cook Off so I may attend the institute to gain valuable culinary skills to continue my passion in pastry baking. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for my recipe.” All four finalist wins were the result of appeal of the recipe, use of Del Monte Products and the number of  “likes” and tweets through social media. Del Monte will announce the Cook Off winner nationally and in their hometown.