Kansas City, Mo.,—Chef Jacob Moeller with Rye – Plaza Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri, took top honors at the annual Kansas City Taste of Elegance culinary competition held November 1 at Harrah’s North Kansas City. His entrée, Smoked Pork Shoulder, Roasted Turnips, Turnip Puree, Braised Missouri Greens, Mustard Hay Jus, received the $1,000 top award.
The Kansas City Taste of Elegance was hosted by the Missouri Pork Association, Kansas Pork Association, and Harvesters-Community Food Network. Harrah’s North Kansas City and Missouri Wine and Grape Board provided additional support. Thanks to Fountain City Winery, St. James Winery and TerraVox Winery for providing wine samples during the banquet.
Almost 300 people sampled the dishes during a reception to honor Food Bank donors. Guests voted Chef Chris Kurzweil with Kurzweil’s Meats in Harrisonville, Missouri, the People’s Choice winner. His entrée, Kansas City BBQ Sushi with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Wasabi Ginger Coleslaw, earned him a set of Mercer Knives.
The second place award and $500 went to Chef Brian Hove with Kozak’s Laketown Grill in Smithville for his Smoked Pork Belly w/White Cheddar Grits, Braised Kale Greens, Tabasco Honey. Third place and $250 went to Chef Matt McGee from the Crowne Plaza Downtown Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri for his Citrus Cured Pork Belly.
Eight chefs prepared dishes for judging on originality, taste, appearance, and menu applicability. This year’s judges included: Chef Mike Chrostowski with the Institute of Culinary Arts at Herndon Career Center, and Chef Russ Muehlberger with US Foodservice.
Additional chefs competing included Chef Robert Davis, Marina 27, Lake Lotawana, Missouri; Chef Jacob Picking, Blue Hills Country Club, Kansas City, Missouri; Chef Philip Thompson, Q39, Kansas City, Missouri; and Chef Jim Tinkham, William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri.
“We are proud to sponsor the Taste of Elegance events,” said Don Nikodim, executive director 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 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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Note to Media: Photos of the winners and winning entrée’s are available. Please contact Diane Slater at (573) 445-8375.
From left to right: People’s Choice – Chef Chris Kurzweil, Kurzweil’s Meats, Harrisonville, Missouri; 3rd Place – Chef Matt McGee, Crowne Plaza Downtown Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri; 2nd Place – Chef Brian Hove, Kozak’s Laketown Grill, Smithville, Missouri; and 1st Place – Chef Jacob Moeller, Rye – Plaza Downtown, Kansas City, Missouri.
1st Place Entree – Smoked Pork Shoulder, Roasted Turnips, Turnip Puree, Braised Missouri Greens, Mustard Hay Jus
2nd Place Entree – Smoked Pork Belly w/White Cheddar Grits, Braised Kale Greens, Tabasco Honey
Third Place Entree – Citrus Cured Pork Belly
People’s Choice Entree – Kansas City BBQ Sushi with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Wasabi Ginger Coleslaw