MEET OUR CHEF AMBASSADORS
We are thrilled to partner with some of the nation’s most talented chefs who share our passion and love for Real California dairy products.
These chefs trust in Real California dairy to craft quality dishes, seasonal LTO’s and manu stapes that keep customers coming back for more.
Check out the latest videos from CMAB’s Chef Ambassadors and follow them online to enjoy recipe inspiration, tips and tricks for using California dairy, and so much more.
LATEST CHEF CREATIONS
Chef Bill Crawford of Righteous Slice in Rexburg, Idaho
Caprese Salad with Real California Fresh Mozzarella is a Perfect Fit for Pizzerias
Chef Lars Smith of State of Mind in Los Altos, California
Mozzarella in Carrozza, Reinvented: A New Take on the Popular Italian Fried Mozzarella Sandwich
Chef Bill Crawford of Righteous Slice in Rexburg, Idaho
Stuffed Crust Pizza with Real California Dairy
Lars Smith
Two-Time Real California Pizza Contest Category Winner
Executive chef Lars Smith co-owns State of Mind Restaurant Group, known for its California-inspired cuisine. He’s a pizza competition veteran and favors seasonal, local ingredients in his menus. Lars is a 4-time finalist in the Real California Pizza Contest (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023), winning two categories in the 2020 event. He also competed in the 2023 Tournament of Champions Pizza Contest and placed 2nd in the Traditional American Division at the 2024 Caputo Cup in Naples, Italy.
Learn more about his Harvest Time recipe
![Super Chorizo Con Papa[ ]](https://realcaliforniamilkfoodservice.com/wp-content/uploads/super-chorizo-con-papa1-360x360.jpg)
Bill Crawford
2023 Real California Pizza Contest Grand Prize Winner
Chef Bill Crawford, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and Harvard MBA graduate, owns Righteous Slice Pizzeria in Rexburg, Idaho. Named one of the “25 Pizzerias to Watch in 2023” by Pizza Today magazine, Bill won the Cal-Mex category and Overall Grand Prize in the 2023 Real California Pizza Contest with his El Pollo Borracho recipe. He also competed in the 2023 Tournament of Champions Pizza Contest and has excelled in the World Pizza Championships in Italy.
Learn more about his Gouda Vibrations recipe
Recipes
Leah Scurto
2023 Real California Pizza Contest Tournament of Champions Grand Prize Winner
Leah Scurto began making pizzas in 1997, honing her skills at Bay Area chain Pizza My Heart. In 2018, she launched PizzaLeah, which has since been featured multiple times on the San Francisco Chronicle’s list of the Top 25 Bay Area Restaurants. A five-time pizza champion, Leah has competed in the U.S. and Italy, judged international competitions, and taught pizza-making classes. She was featured on Hulu’s Best In Dough and named one of Pizza Today magazine’s Rising Stars in 2021. Leah is a multiple-time category winner in the Real California Pizza Contest and won the Grand Prize in the 2023 Tournament of Champions.
Learn more about her The Nut-torius F.I.G. recipe
Interested in Becoming a chef Ambassador?
If you are a professional chef who is passionate about and relies on California dairy products at your pizzeria, restaurant, or foodservice operation, please contact our team for consideration into the program.
