Vice President Foodservice and Website, Idaho Potato Commission
Don Odiorne joined the Idaho Potato Commission in 1989. During his tenure he has also served on the foodservice boards of United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable, the Produce Marketing Association and was treasurer and then president of IFEC, the International Food Editors Council. His foodservice career began in fast food and at country clubs in the Denver area.
He graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in business administration and hotel & restaurant management. He has held marketing and operations positions in college and university foodservice, business dining and fast food/pizza. He owned fresh pasta restaurants and a regional pizza franchise and consulted on several major sandwich, coffee and dessert concepts.
Prior to joining the Idaho Potato Commission, Don was the promotions director for a California Lettuce Commission in Salinas. He works with corporate and high volume unit chefs on a daily basis, fostering the proper, creative and profitable usage of Idaho potatoes in their operations. For ten years Don has directed the www.idahopotato.com web site. His interest in this side of technology and education has been instrumental creating a blog, Dr. Potato, with tips on preparation, and working with more than 100 food bloggers to encourage the use of Idaho potatoes in their recipes and videos.
Awards: The Packer selected Odiorne to receive its prestigious Foodservice Achievement Award in 2013, he also received the IFEC annual “Betty” award for foodservice publicity, and in the food blogger community he recently was awarded the Camp Blogaway “Golden Pinecone” for brand excellence as well as the Sunday Suppers Brand partnership award.
