November 4, 2009
For More Information, contact
Don Nikodim, (573) 445-8375
St. Louis Chefs Participate in Taste of Elegance
Twelve chefs cook up culinary delights centered around Pork.
Columbia, Mo.,—Chef Thom Zoog, with Portabella Restaurant & Café in St. Louis, garnered top honors at the Taste of Elegance culinary competition held November 2 at the Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport. His winning entrée, Spice Crusted Pork Tenderloin, earned him the $1,000 prize and an invitation to compete in the national 2010 Taste of Elegance competition.
The event was sponsored by the Missouri Pork Association, the Illinois Pork Producers Association, Cargill featuring Sysco Corporation’s premium White Marble Farms pork, Missouri Wine and Grape Board, Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport, and Osage Marketing, Inc. The event was also promoted by the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Twelve chefs competed in the competition using Sysco Corporation’s premium White Marble Farms pork supplied by Cargill. The entrées were judged on originality, taste and presentation.
Chef Gary Suarez of Bon Appetit in Clayton received second place and $500 with his entrée, Cola Scented Pork Ribs with Sweet & Sour Pineapple and BBQ Pork Dim Sum. Chef Kenneth Hayden, Jr. from the Personal Chef Service in Dellwood prepared the third place entrée of Apple and Celantro Pork Chop. He received $250.
The People’s Choice winner, voted on by attendees, was Chef Silvia Cianci with Louisa Food Products, Inc. in St. Louis for her Autumn in Italy entrée.
Chef Zoog will advance to the national Taste of Elegance, which has been sponsored by the National Pork Board since 1987.
“We are proud to sponsor the Taste of Elegance,” said Bill Kessler, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association. “The ability to work with chefs in creating new pork menu items helps build demand for pork, while introducing consumers to its 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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