Six of the country’s most exciting chefs and food service professionals representing an array of culinary styles and backgrounds will be honored this May as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program.

The award winner for fine dining restaurants was Chef Brian Scheehser of Trellis restaurant in Kirkland.

Sponsored by Pro*Act LLC, and now in its fifth year, the program honors chefs and their companies for their innovative and influential use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. The United Fresh Produce Association will formally recognize the six winners at United Fresh 2012, the association’s annual convention and expo in Dallas, May 1-3.

The six winners were selected from nearly 120 nominations submitted by produce companies and food service operations across North America.

A panel of produce and foodservice industry leaders reviewed each nominee’s demonstrated incorporation of fresh produce into menu development, use of protocols for correct storage and handling of produce, leadership in produce related community service and special events and recognition by their company and industry peers.

The six winners, along with an executive from their company, will attend United Fresh 2012 in Dallas. All six winners will participate in panel session, Top Chefs! Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Winners that will take place at 3 p.m. May 2. For those not able to attend, a recording of the session will be posted on UnitedFresh.TV.