Brian Hinshaw Took Top Honor at Kitchen Hero Cook Off Challenge, Highlights Childhood Hunger Campaign

COLUMBUS, Ohio (December 1, 2014) – Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ (CMR) Vice President and Executive Corporate Chef Brian Hinshaw, of Columbus, recently won the second annual Texas Pete® Kitchen Hero Cook Off Challenge and $10,000 to benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. Hinshaw took top honors against three other U.S. culinary experts, which was presented at the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conference (MUFSO) in Dallas, Texas.

“We are excited and proud of Brian for taking top honors at the MUFSO Kitchen Hero Cook Off Challenge,” said David Miller, CMR executive vice president. “This achievement is a testament to his extraordinary talents and commitment to supporting great community causes, including Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.”

The competition was designed much like the Food Network’s “Chopped” where each contestant was given a mystery basket. Hinshaw’s basket had shrimp and the CHA! Srirachia Texas Pete sauce. Hinshaw made Surf & Turf with Sriracha Tomatillo Sauce, a cream stuffed filet mignon topped with shrimp. He used Texas Pete products in six different ways on his winning plate.

The cooking competition was a fundraising effort to help the No Kid Hungry campaign, which is an educational program that advocates an end to childhood hunger across the nation. The $10,000 donation made in Hinshaw’s name will help provide children access to school breakfast and summer meals and educate low-income families on budgeting their wages to provide healthier meals.

Hinshaw competing in the MUFSO Kitchen Hero Cook Off wasn’t just about the recognition of a master chef’s skill, but about giving back to those in need.

“I have been cooking since I was 13-years-old and competing since I was an apprentice in my early 20s,” said Hinshaw. “I went into the competition prepared with innovative and creative menu ideas using Texas Pete sauces. I was driven throughout the competition by the goal of donating money to the No Kid Hungry campaign and I was confident that I would pull off a great dish to win.”

As a recognized and respected chef, Hinshaw’s culinary experience spans nearly three decades. Hinshaw has worked in renowned kitchens of food destination cities across the country. His roots are in the Columbus, Ohio, community as he earned his culinary arts degree from Columbus State. He began his culinary career at CMR in 1999 as executive sous chef and worked his way to executive chef at three different Columbus concepts and then promoted to regional chef in 2006 and then to his current position in 2009. As a winner of the MUFSO Kitchen Hero Cook Off, Hinshaw will be a judge during the 2015 competition at the conference.