Suwanee Man Creates Dish for Mello Mushroom's Nationwide Menu

Two Atlanta-area employees have new dishes debuting now on the menus of Mellow Mushroom eateries across the country, winning a company-wide contest.

The Thaidal Wave Hoagie created by Ben Power of Suwanee was named best overall food winner and the Slow Ridin’ Chicken Salad created by Cole Smith from Cumming are available nationwide now through March 31.

Mellow Mushroom polled servers, bartenders, prep and line cooks from over 160 locations to curate the new Homegrown Picks menu. The challenge sought the best pizza, salad, calzone, hoagie and cocktail recipes from employees. The dishes by Power and Smith are two of the seven finalists that now comprise the Homegrown Picks menu.

A panel of professional judges determined an overall food and cocktail winner.

The Best Overall Food winner was the Thaidal Wave Hoagie, created by Powers. It features all-natural sweet thai chili chicken, grilled onions and mushrooms, provolone cheese, fresh broccoli and tomatoes, mayonnaise and finished with a balsamic glaze drizzle. Power's dish was also awarded Best Overall Food.

Smith, from Cumming, created the Slow Ridin’ Chicken Salad which features grilled all-natural chicken chopped and blended with finely diced jalapeno, caramelized pecans, organic apples and mayo, all served on garlic toast points.

You can check out other items on the Homegrown Picks menu, which is available in all Atlanta-area Mellow Mushroom locations, online.