Safeway Names Winner of Chef Competition

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway’s search for its next chef ended this week when Dave Histed was named winner of the chain’s three-month-long competition. Chefs from across the country competed for a full-time position with Safeway Culinary Kitchens and the chance to have their recipe sold as an Open Nature Skillet Meal in Safeway stores.             

Histed, previously a chef at Big Bowl — a Midwest chain of Chinese and Thai restaurants committed to natural ingredients and sustainability — joins an experienced team of chefs in the chain’s Culinary Kitchens, Safeway officials said in a statement announcing the winner.

The competition, Search for Our Next Chef, the first of its kind, had chefs competing in a series of cook-offs. Two finalists were pitted against each other at a final cook-off at Safeway’s 4,000-square-foot kitchen.

Histed’s "Thai Basil Shrimp with Curry Jasmine Rice," made from 100 percent natural ingredients, and designed with the at-home cook in mind, was the winner.

"Dave displayed tremendous food creativity, expertise and passion throughout this challenging competition," said Mike Minasi, president of marketing at Safeway.