Our History
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Certified Executive Chef , 25 years work experience |
Smirnov, a native of Moscow, Russia who has been with Rice Epicurean Markets for 11 years, entered the
Showpiece Division with a variety of carvings made from fresh vegetables and fruits. Vladimir Smirnov, has
been awarded a bronze medal in the international Virtual Salon Culinary competition held recently in
Australia. He is the only U.S. Chef to take home a medal in any of the categories.
Entries are photographed according to Salon Culinary’s specifications and then submitted via the Internet.
The photographs are then given points in a variety of categories by an international panel of judges.
Candidates must receive certain numbers of points to win a medal. In Chef Smirnov’s division, no entries
received enough points for gold or silver medals, thus making the Houston chef the only winner among
dozens of entries submitted.
Winners in other categories included chefs from India, the Philippines, cruise ships, Scotland and Australia.
Virtual Salon Culinary is based on the traditional Salon Culinary competitions in which chefs attend a food
show and compete with a variety of food presentations. In this case, the organization uses the Internet so
that chefs throughout the world may compete without the expense and time of attending a show. The
organization is dedicated to sharing skills and ideas to advance the culinary arts.
For Chef Smirnov, 37, this award comes on the heels of a silver medal he was awarded early in January at
the Ben E. Keith Company Food Show held at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroy. He was
once again recognized for his carving skills.
Showpiece Division with a variety of carvings made from fresh vegetables and fruits. Vladimir Smirnov, has
been awarded a bronze medal in the international Virtual Salon Culinary competition held recently in
Australia. He is the only U.S. Chef to take home a medal in any of the categories.
Entries are photographed according to Salon Culinary’s specifications and then submitted via the Internet.
The photographs are then given points in a variety of categories by an international panel of judges.
Candidates must receive certain numbers of points to win a medal. In Chef Smirnov’s division, no entries
received enough points for gold or silver medals, thus making the Houston chef the only winner among
dozens of entries submitted.
Winners in other categories included chefs from India, the Philippines, cruise ships, Scotland and Australia.
Virtual Salon Culinary is based on the traditional Salon Culinary competitions in which chefs attend a food
show and compete with a variety of food presentations. In this case, the organization uses the Internet so
that chefs throughout the world may compete without the expense and time of attending a show. The
organization is dedicated to sharing skills and ideas to advance the culinary arts.
For Chef Smirnov, 37, this award comes on the heels of a silver medal he was awarded early in January at
the Ben E. Keith Company Food Show held at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroy. He was
once again recognized for his carving skills.
Hi, my name is Chef Vladimir Smirnov.
My family and I moved to Houston, Texas from Moscow, Russia in 1994.
I started my professional cooking career in 1984 working in the Restaurant industry serving the
Government of Moscow. When we moved to Houston I couldn't speak much English and certainly
didn't have a job right away, but that did not stop me from succeeding in the United States. My first job
opportunity was with Rice Epicurean Market in the Deli Department. Over time, my English has greatly
improved as well as my level of service to my customers. Through hard work and numerous catering
events my level of knowledge and my professional attitude have risen tremendously. From the very
simple event to the most elegant or very private, you can trust me to meet your demands of excellence
in service, presentation and quality. I now extend my knowledge to carvings of fresh fruit and
vegetables to make any event that I do be a lasting event for you and your guests.
My family and I moved to Houston, Texas from Moscow, Russia in 1994.
I started my professional cooking career in 1984 working in the Restaurant industry serving the
Government of Moscow. When we moved to Houston I couldn't speak much English and certainly
didn't have a job right away, but that did not stop me from succeeding in the United States. My first job
opportunity was with Rice Epicurean Market in the Deli Department. Over time, my English has greatly
improved as well as my level of service to my customers. Through hard work and numerous catering
events my level of knowledge and my professional attitude have risen tremendously. From the very
simple event to the most elegant or very private, you can trust me to meet your demands of excellence
in service, presentation and quality. I now extend my knowledge to carvings of fresh fruit and
vegetables to make any event that I do be a lasting event for you and your guests.