René Hardwick, the Director of Public and Industry Relations for the National Onion Association (NOA), unveiled an exciting new initiative called the Certified Delicious program at the committee’s Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, just last week.
The Certified Delicious program is an innovative way for NOA members to recognize and applaud restaurants and chefs who consistently incorporate fresh and abundant onions into their regular menu offerings.
When NOA members travel, they are encouraged to actively seek out restaurants, and if they encounter a particularly remarkable onion-based dish such as French onion soup or onion rings, they are urged to share the restaurant’s name and any available contact information with René. The NOA will then add these culinary gems to their growing list of “Certified Delicious” establishments, featured online.
René and the NOA will reach out to identified chefs, general managers, or owners, notifying them of their inclusion in the program and requesting that they share a photo of themselves with their certificate or the featured onion dish on their social media pages using the hashtags #CertifiedDelicious and #weknowonions. Additionally, the NOA will kindly ask them to prominently display the certificate for their customers to see.
In appreciation of their participation, these recognized establishments will receive a framed certificate and an exclusive onion lapel pin. The NOA will provide a direct link to their restaurant on its website and circulate press releases to local media outlets in the restaurant’s area, further amplifying their culinary achievements.
The program comes with specific rules to ensure its integrity:
- Only U.S. restaurants are eligible for consideration.
- Restaurants cannot request inclusion; only NOA members can nominate or identify deserving establishments.
- Meals must feature fresh onions exclusively; pre-prepared or frozen onions are not allowed.
René encourages NOA members to contribute ideas for enhancing the program’s scope and appeal to restaurant owners and chefs. She is open to suggestions and welcomes inquiries about the initiative.
The NOA is optimistic that this initiative will not only bring some fun to its members but will also celebrate the creative and delectable use of onions in American restaurants, which represent approximately 50 percent of the U.S. onion industry market. If you’re not already a member of the NOA, now is an excellent time to join and contribute to this exciting new program!
For more information or to get involved, contact René Hardwick rhardwick@onions-usa.org or visit the NOA’s new program website Certified Delicious – National Onion Association (onions-usa.org)
