The Taste of Elegance is one of the major cooking events for professional chefs in the industry. Sponsored by the National Pork Board, this culinary competition is designed to inspire innovative and exciting ways to menu pork. Since 1987, the Taste of Elegance competition has evolved into more than twenty regional competitions annually. Winning chefs are invited to participate in the National Taste of Elegance. The national event brings together talented, winning chefs from across the country. The program provides an exciting competition in the chef community while also serving as a learning exchange for the chefs. At every competition, prizes are awarded for outstanding pork dishes based on a variety of factors, including taste, originality and presentation. Judges for the events have included master chefs, food editors and past Taste of Elegance winners.
Prizes include:
First Place – $1,000 and an expense paid trip to the National Pork Summit
Second Place – $500
Third Place – $250
People’s Choice – $100
MPA-Sponsored Taste of Elegance Events
2017 Mid-Missouri Taste of Elegance
January 11, 2017
Holiday Inn Executive Center
Columbia, Missouri
| First Place | Chef Devin Angsten Barred Owl Butcher and Table – Columbia |
Coppa Cabbage Roll wrapped with Pork Belly Pastrami, Winter Squash and Heat Meat Hash and Mostarda |
| Second Place | Chef Aaron View Les Bourgeois –혻 Columbia |
Pork Belly Omakase |
| Third Place | Chef Matthew Cone FlyOver- Columbia |
Banh Missouri |
| People’s Choice | Chef Jonathon Martin Holiday Inn Executive Center – Columbia |
Bourbon Glazed Rib Chop |
Read more here…
2017 Kansas City혻Taste of Elegance
February 21, 2017
Harrah’s North
North Kansas City, Missouri
| First Place | Chef Andrew Kneessy American Food & Vending – Kansas City |
“Pastrami & Rye” Rye Dumplings, Pickled Mustard Seeds, Brussels Sprout Leaves, Yellow Mustard |
| Second Place | Michael Chrostowski Olathe District Culinary Program – Olathe, KS |
Pistachio Encrusted Pork Tenderloin served with Truffled Potato Crouquette, Vanilla Infused Parsnip Puree, Dr. Pepper Demi and Bouquetiere of Vegetables |
| Third Place & People’s Choice |
Sophia Chatfield Barstow School – Kansas City |
Mango Chili Glazed Ribs with Cannellini Bean Cassoulet and Crisp Pear Slaw |
2016 St. Louis Taste of Elegance
November 7, 2016
Renaissance Hotel
St. Louis, Missouri
| First Place | Chef Cory Yeates Bellerive Country Club – St. Louis, MO |
Pork Breakfast |
| Second Place | Chef Josh Charles Element Restaurant – St. Louis, MO |
Smoked Pork Loin, Zucchini Bread, Roasted Carrots, Cranberry Red Wine Sauce and Pickled Mustard |
| Third Place | Chef Shun Ammons Stur Restaurant & Lounge – Edwardsville, IL |
Asian Pork Shoulder |
| People’s Choice Tied | Chef Benjamin Hamlin Norah’s Crafted Food & Spirits – St. Louis, MO |
2016 Springfield/Branson Taste of Elegance
November 14, 2016
Ramada Oasis Convention Center
Springfield, Missouri
| First Place | Chef Nathan Frazo Missouri State Dining Services – Springfield, MO |
Chipotle Pork Mole Duo ??Roasted Pork Belly, Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin, Smoked Cheddar Poblano Polenta, Caramelized Butternut Squash, Stone Fruit Mole and Stone Fruit Mustarda |
| Second Place | Chef Kevin Mueller Aviary Cafe – Springfield, MO |
Pomegranate Honey Glazed Pork Belly and Pastrami Cured Pork Ribs served atop a Butternut Squash Puree, with Cardamom Roasted Carrots, Crispy Kale and Prosciutto Crisps paired with a Pomegranate Mustard Chutney |
| Third Place | Chef Aaron Gregory Oasis Fire and Ice – Springfield, MO |
Ancho Honey Glazed Pork Tenderloin with a Blue Cornmeal Cake, Roasted Yellow Pepper Cream and Pickled Fajita Vegetables |
| People’s Choice Tied | Chef Kevin Mueller Aviary Cafe – Springfield, MO |
Pomegranate Honey Glazed Pork Belly and Pastrami Cured Pork Ribs served atop a Butternut Squash Puree, with Cardamom Roasted Carrots, Crispy Kale and Prosciutto Crisps paired with a Pomegranate Mustard Chutney |
Next Event is November 20, 2017 at the Ramada Oasis Convention Center in Springfield.
For more information on the Taste of Elegance events, please contact the Missouri Pork Association office at (573) 445-8375.
For more information on the National Taste of Elegance, sponsored by the National Pork Board, visit http://www.porkfoodservice.org/pork-summit-archive/#.WHe7gn07yUQ.