Columbia, Mo. — Chef Branden Bentley with the Aviary Creperie and Patisserie in Springfield received highest honors during the Springfield/Branson Taste of Elegance culinary competition held March 17 at the Ramada Oasis Convention Center in Springfield. Chef Bentley prepared Porcetta di Testa with an Arugula and Radish Salad and Charred Stone Fruit Mustardo, Old World Head Cheese with Cornichons and Caperberries, and Chevre Farmer’s Cheese with Garlic Confit. His winning dish earned the $1,000 top award and the opportunity to attend the national Pork Summit held in St. Helena, California.
The Springfield/Branson Taste of Elegance was hosted by the Missouri Pork Association and the Ozarks Food Harvest. Pork products for the evening were sponsored by Farmland Foods and their DURoC line of pork. The Ramada Oasis Convention Center and Missouri Wine and Grape Board provided additional support.
Almost 250 attendees also sampled the dishes during a reception to honor Ozarks Food Harvest donors. Guests voted Chef Jason Pooker with Fire and Ice Restaurant in Springfield the People’s Choice Award winner for his entrée, Pan Seared Pork Loin with Duchess Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Lardon Seared Brussels Sprouts topped with a Maple Dijon Gastrique. Chef Pooker also awarded third place from the judges and received $250.
Second place in the competition and $500 went to Chef Kyle Houston with Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield for his entrée, Strawberry Braised Pork Belly, Coconut Crusted Pig’s Head Croquette, Beet and Almond Puree, Ham and Edamame Salad and Orange Marmalade.
“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.”
Six chefs prepared dishes for judging on originality, taste, presentation and menu applicability. This year’s judges included: Chef Sophia Chatfield, with the Crown Plaza Hotel in Lenexa, Kansas, and a winner of the 2008 Kansas City Taste of Elegance; Chef Rob Corliss, founder of All Things Epicurean from Nixa; and Chef Adam Wells-Morgan, executive chef at The Club at Old Hawthorne in Columbia and winner of the 2010 and 2013 Mid-Missouri Taste of Elegance.
This is the 27th year for national Taste of Elegance events. The National Pork Board sponsored the first event in 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.
Source: The Missouri Pork Association