Taste of Elegance

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

2019 Mid-Missouri Taste of Elegance

January 12, 2019
Holiday Inn Executive Center
Columbia, Missouri

First Place	Chef Amanda Elliott Peachtree Catering – Columbia, MO	Carnitas with Chicharrones and Blue Corn Tortillas
Second Place	Chef Matthia Accurso University Club – Columbia	Tasso Ham and Manchego Tart with Fennel Pork Belly
Third Place & People’s Choice	Chef Michael Keene University of Missouri Hospitality Managment Program – Columbia	Roasted Center Cut Rack of Pork, Brown Sauce with Pork Wine and Sun-dried Cherries, Mashed Cauliflower and Stir-Fried Spinach

2019 Kansas City Taste of Elegance

February 26, 2019
Harrah’s North
North Kansas City, Missouri

First Place	Chef Justin Woo Guadalupe Centers – Kansas City, MO	Pork Tamale, Tomatillo, Blueberry, Corn
Second Place	Chef Todd Walline Blue– Hills Country Club – Kansas City, MO	Spice Crusted Pork Roulade
Third Place & People’s Choice	Chef Charles d’Ablaing Brookside Poultry Company – Kansas City, MO	Hot and Sour Soup, Pork Katsu, Crisp Garbanzo Beans, Basil
People’s Choice	Chef Brian Hove Kozak’s Laketown Grill – Smithville, MO	Baby Back Ribs with Ale Mustard, BBQ Sauce and Dunkel Cheddar Bratwurst

2019 St. Louis Taste of Elegance

November 4, 2019
Renaissance Hotel
St. Louis, Missouri

First Place	Chef Russel Cunningham St. Louis Union Station Hotel – St. Louis, MO	Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Second Place	Chef Kenneth E. Hayden Jr. K Hayden Chef Services & Catering – Dellwood, MO	Maple Brine Pork Chop with Apple Balsamic Reduction, Celery Root Whipped Potatoes, Charred Brussels Sprouts, Pumpkin Puree, Pork Butt Wellington
Third Place	Chef Shun Ammons 1818 Chophouse – O’Fallon, IL	Braised Pork Belly
People’s Choice	Chef Timothy Eagan TME Private Chef – St. Louis, MO	Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin, Braised Pork and Potato Hash, Pork Fat Roasted Winter Vegetables, Mustard and Pork Jus

2018 Springfield/Branson Taste of Elegance

October 29, 2018
Ramada Oasis Convention Center
Springfield, Missouri

First Place & People’s Choice	Chef Nathan Frazo Chartwell’s at Missouri State University- Springfield, MO	Chipotle Apple Brine Pork Chop, Smokey Polenta, Charred Maple Brussels Sprouts, Monte Cristo Purse, House Cured Bacon, Cave Aged White Cheddar, Bacon-aisse and Blackberry Jam
Second Place	Chef Branden Bentley The Wildseed – Strafford, MO	Country Pate, Porchetta di Testa, Apple Butter, Horseradish Egg Salad, Toasted Rye, Creme Fraiche, Pistachio Crumb and Pickled Fennel
Third Place	Chef Scott Horned Cox Health – Springfield, MO	Havana Stuffed Pork Loin, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans