Top Portland Rising Star Chefs Named

ROSEMONT, IL--(Marketwire - Dec 5, 2011) - US Foods, one of the country's most innovative food companies and distributors, congratulates the 2011 Portland Rising Stars. US Foods was a sponsor of the cooking event hosted by StarChefs.com and supplied the contestants with specialty food items, such as foie gras and pork belly, to create their winning recipes.

The winners of the 2011 Portland Rising Stars include:

• Chef Aaron Barnett, St. Jack Restaurant
• Chef Greg Perrault, June Restaurant
• Chefs Sarah Pliner, Kat Whitehead and Jasper Shen, Aviary
• Chef Naomi Pomeroy, Beast Restaurant
• Chef William Preisch, The Bent Brick
• Chef Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon
• Pastry Chef Kir Jensen, The Sugar Cube
• Pastry Chef Kristen D. Murray, Paley's Place
• Baker Tim Healea, Little T American Baker
• Community Chef Jenn Louis, Lincoln
• Sustainability Chef Sunny Jin, Jory at the Allison Inn & Spa
• Hotel Chef Andy Arndt, Aquariva at the Avalon Hotel & Spa
• Concept Chef Elias Cairo, Olympic Provisions
• Restaurateur Kurt Huffman, ChefStable
• Mixologist Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Clyde Common
• Sommelier Jack Hott, Castagna
• Host Chef Matt Christianson, Urban Farmer at the Nines
• Guest Chef Anthony Cafiero, Tabla Mediterranean Bistro

"Portland's Rising Star chefs represent the best of the city's vibrant culinary scene," said Tom Van Orman, division president, US Foods Northwest. "We are proud to sponsor the events to support the next generation of culinary innovators in the greater Portland area."

The 2011 Portland Rising Star winners will be acknowledged during a special ceremony at the Nines Hotel in Portland. Each year StarChefs.com recognizes up-and-coming chefs and culinary professionals who represent the vanguard of the contemporary American dining scene in four American cities.

For more information on US Foods, visit www.usfoods.com.

About US Foods
With nearly $19 billion in annual revenue, US Foods is the 10th largest private company in America, and a leading foodservice distributor. Many of the entities that make up US Foods were founded in the 19th century, including one that sold provisions to travelers heading west during the 1850s gold rush. US Foods offers more than 350,000 national brand products and its own high-quality "exclusive brand" items, ranging from fresh meats and produce to prepared and frozen foods. The company proudly employs approximately 25,000 people in more than 60 locations nationwide, and provides the finest quality food and related products to more than 250,000 customers, including independent and multi-unit restaurants, healthcare and hospitality entities, government and educational institutions. The company is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., and jointly owned by funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Discover more at www.usfoods.com.