PLYMOUTH, Wis.- Sargento Foods is giving Gina Marino of Hope, R.I. the opportunity to have her collection of cheese recipes published as a cookbook after the 36-year old won an October cook-off at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Calif.



PLYMOUTH, Wis.- Sargento Foods is giving Gina Marino of Hope, R.I. the opportunity to have her collection of cheese recipes published as a cookbook after the 36-year old won an October cook-off at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Calif.

Marino edged out Lisa Patrin of Chanhassen, Minn. and Andrea Laguna of Los Angeles, Calif. after the three judges-Emmy-winning chef Michael Chiarello, Bon Appétit magazine contributing editor Mara Papatheodorou, and Sargento corporate chef Guy Beardsmore-found that Marino's Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pizza recipe demonstrated the best creativity, use of Sargento cheese and overall taste.

"I was delighted to serve as judge and host for the Kitchen Chronicles search," Chiarello said. "My own family recipes are my favorites, and I love to share them with my guests."

Co-sponsored with Bon Appétit and in cooperation with Chiarello and the celebrated Culinary Institute of America, Sargento began the nationwide search this past spring. Whether it was making homemade pizza for friends or the best mac ‘n' cheddar recipe served at the annual potluck gathering, the Wisconsin-based company wanted to hear how people's culinary creations brought family, friends and the community together.