Columbia, Mo.,—Chef Brian Hove, from Kozak’s Laketown Grill in Smithville, garnered top honors at the Kansas City Taste of Elegance culinary competition held February 23 at Harrah’s North in North Kansas City. His winning entrée, Smoked Pork Belly with Jalapeno Corn Cake Tostados, earned him the $1,000 prize and an invitation to the national Pork Summit in St. Helena, California.

 

The event was sponsored by the Missouri Pork Association, Kansas Pork Association, Smithfield Farmland, Harvesters Community Food Network, Mercer Culinary, and Missouri Wine and Grape Board. Fourteen chefs competed in the competition, with Smithfield DURoC Pork featured center plate. Their entrées were judged on originality, taste, presentation and menu applicability.

 

“We are proud to be associated with the Taste of Elegance event,” said Scott Phillips, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association. “Chefs are given a great opportunity to work with quality pork, and we hope they incorporate these dishes into their menus.”

 

Chef Marc Auriemma with American Food & Vending at Cerner World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, received second place with his entrée, Seared Pork Tenderloin with Fig Pork Demi, Polenta Peas and Crispy Belly. Chef William Kohn with Marquee Café in Kansas City, Kansas, prepared the third place entrée of Pork Temptation.

 

The People’s Choice Award went to Chef Matt Chatfield with Tallgrass Creek Senior Living in Overland Park, Kansas. His dish, Crispy Pork Roast Croquette, was a crowd favorite.

 

Chef Hove will advance to the national Pork Summit event in St. Helena, California, which has been sponsored by the National Pork Board since 1987.

 

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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