ConAgra: Frontera Culinary Director Expands Role

Chicago / IL. (caf) ConAgra Foods Inc., one of North America’s leading food companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of JeanMarie Brownson as Culinary Director. Joining ConAgra Foods as part of the recent Frontera Foods, Inc. acquisition, Brownson has taken on an expanded role, leading culinary development not only for Frontera branded products but for all of the company’s growth business programs.

A Chicago native, Brownson is an accomplished chef and writer. As part owner and culinary director of Frontera Foods with Rick Bayless and Manny Valdes, Brownson was in charge of all new product development, quality control and consumer educational materials for Frontera branded products since the company’s inception in 1996. Brownson has been awarded with several prestigious recognitions for her culinary writing including the James Beard Foundation’s International Cookbook Award for «Mexico – One Plate at a Time», which she co-authored with Bayless and his wife Deann, and the International Association of Culinary Professionals Award for «Dinner at Home», a collection of her favorite recipes from her long-running bimonthly food column in the Chicago Tribune, which goes by the same name. Brownson has also served as Test Kitchen Director and assistant food editor for the Chicago Tribune.

«JeanMarie has an impressive background in the food industry, cooking alongside such notable chefs as Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, Rick Bayless and many more», said Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of ConAgra Foods. «She also has great experience growing a brand from the ground up as one of the original founders of Frontera Foods. This expansive and holistic background makes her a great fit to lead ConAgra’s culinary development and we’re so happy to have her as part of the team».