January 15, 2008
For More Information, contact
Don Nikodim, (573) 445-8375
Mid-Missouri Chefs Participate in Taste of Elegance
Columbia, Mo., - Chef Matthia Accurso of the University Club in Columbia received highest honors during the Mid-Missouri Taste of Elegance culinary competition held January 14 at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center. Chef Accurso prepared a Trio of Pork Shoulder. His winning dish earned the $1,000 top award and the opportunity to compete in the National Taste of Elegance event to be held May 5 in San Diego, California.
The Mid-Missouri Taste of Elegance event was hosted by the Missouri Pork Association and the Central Missouri Food Bank. Cargill and the White Marble Farms brand sponsored pork products for the evening. The Holiday Inn Select Executive Center and Missouri Wines provided additional support.
Seven chefs prepared dishes for judging on originality, taste and presentation. Previous winners, master chefs and food editors may serve as judges. More than 200 attendees also sampled the dishes during a reception to honor Central Missouri Food Bank donors. Guests voted Chef Jerry Brown with the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center the People’s Choice Award winner.
Chef Brown also received second place and $500 with his entrée, Louisiana Pork Chops Le-Roux. Chef Jason Mooney of the Grand Cru Restaurant in Columbia received third place and $250 with his entrée, Black Walnut Crusted Rib Chops Stuffed with Blue Point Oysters, Shitaki Mushroom and Rosemary with Bacon Braised Swiss Chard and Château Truffled Potatoes.
This is the 21st year for national Taste of Elegance events. The National Pork Board sponsored the first event in 1987.
“We are proud to sponsor the Taste of Elegance events,” said Don Nikodim, executive vice president of the Missouri Pork Association. “Working with chefs to create new menu items, then promoting those items, helps build demand for pork, while introducing consumers to the product’s great taste.”
The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education and legislation. For more information about this or any other programs of the Missouri Pork Association, go to www.mopork.com, or call the Missouri Pork Association office at (573) 445-8375.
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