The USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and the U.S. Dry Bean Council hosted a Chef’s Table event on March 7, 2023 to highlight the three winners of the “Innovate Your Plate” restaurant competition. The competition began in December 2022 to raise awareness about U.S. pulses, expand relationships with Thailand’s chefs and restaurant executives, and demonstrate how pulses can be used to create delicious, healthy, and innovative dishes.
USADPLC and USDBC partnered with Root The Future, Thailand’s largest plant-based and sustainability community, to create and host the event. A total of 25 Thailand influencers, media, and U.S. pulses importers were invited to taste U.S. pulse-powered menu items created by the winning restaurants.
Mr. Eric Mullis, Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Bangkok, opened the event and highlighted how pulses help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and improve soil health, making them essential and cost-effective ingredients in sustainable food systems and diets.
The event aimed to inspire more chefs and restaurants to incorporate pulses and sustainable ingredients into their menus, helping to reduce environmental impacts of our food system and promote a healthier and more sustainable future.
The winning restaurants and their pulse-based menu creations are:
CANES Plant-based Culinary Lab
Vegan Pâté En Croûte and Vegan Foie Gras Stuffed Gnocchi
Suananda
Trio Lentils Crepe and BeanaCotta
The Earthling Café
Fry Katsu and Black Bean Brownie with Lima Bean Ice-cream
