Table talk

David Prows, Costa Vida's executive chef, was honored last week by the American Culinary Federation at its national convention in Las Vegas. He was among 25 chefs, including the acclaimed Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter's in Chicago, who received the President's Medallion for service to the culinary profession.

Prows, of Bountiful, is a past president of the Beehive Chef Chapter of the ACF. In April he chaired the ACF's Western Regional Conference, hosting about 500 chefs in Salt Lake City. He also organized the first Freedom Chef Challenge Cook-Off, where top chefs from all six branches of the military competed against each other.

In 2006, Prows was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs.

In Utah, Prows has cooked at Little America, Skybox Sports Grille, Oakridge Country Club, Christopher's Steak and Seafood and Gastronomy Inc. He also honed his skills in several New Orleans restaurants. He served as president of the Federation's Beehive Chapter from 1997-99 and chairman of the board from 1999-2001. He won his chapter's Chef Professionalism Award in 2001 and Chef of the Year in 1999.

The ACF, established in 1929, has more than 21,500 members spanning 230 chapters nationwide, offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and accreditation (www.acfchefs.org).

El Pollo Loco opened its second Utah restaurant Monday in Washington at 745 W. Telegraph Street near Greensprings Drive. The chain, which serves flame-grilled, Mexican-inspired chicken dishes, opened a store in Lehi in June. A third is planned for St. George in late November. Founded in Guasave, Mexico, in 1975, El Pollo Loco is pronounced "L Po-yo Lo-co," which in Spanish means "The Crazy Chicken."

The Garden Cafe at the Grand America, 555 S. Main, is joining the Zero Fatalities fight against deaths on Utah roads. Through Labor Day, the Garden Cafe will offer free nonalcoholic drinks to designated drivers on Friday and Saturday nights.

According to a press release, the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the most deadly, averaging one fatal crash every day on Utah roads (www.grandamerica.com).

The Mayan is offering a Pioneer Day feast Thursday at the Mayan Adventure in Jordan Commons. The meal features Rainforest Spare Ribs with ancho-fig barbecue sauce, served with sweet vegetable slaw, Yukon Gold french fries and special corn and black bean cakes. Dessert is chocolate ganache empanadas with pineapple sauce.

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Submit announcements to Valerie Phillips, food editor, Deseret News, 30 E. 100 South, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110 or vphillips@desnews.com.

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