2009 Indiana Taste of Elegance
It's January which means it's time for the annual Taste of Elegance pork competition sponsored by Indiana Pork (in conjunction with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council.) Holy Moly, no wonder they expect 400 plus attendees including legislators, pork producers, and other agriculture industry folks.
This year? Forget the Colts, this is going to the the SuperBowl of Pork! The biggies are back in the field of twelve squaring off for this year's chance to represent Indiana nationally. Look for Chefs Ryan Nelson, Dan Dunville, Brad Gates, and even Daniel Orr from Bloomington -- along with 8 other central Indiana culinary experts -- to duke it out for the title of Big Pig. Indiana has produced enough finalists in the national competition that any chef who wins here will have a credible chance. Last year's event won by Brandon Hamilton was great fun from the pork knuckles (my favorite) to the wacky pig ice sculpture, and Brandon finished in the top 5 nationally. Chefs have to creatively use pork and their dishes are judged for taste, appearance and originality. They'll compete for five prizes from $1000 to $250.
Scheduled to compete this year:
Jason Anderson, Dunaway's
Anthony Armstrong, Hot Tuna (at the Omni Severin)
Jeff Bane, The Chef's Academy
Dan Dunville, Meridian (and a past winner)
Chip Huckaby, Barto's Catering
George Neely, Culinary Innovations
Ryan Nelson, The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Greg Schiesser, Indiana Downs
Josh Horrigan, The Chef's Academy
Steven Masch, Mudsock's Grill
Daniel Orr, FARMBloomington
Brad Gates, Euphoria
3 comments:
I wouldn't be counting out any of these talented chef's. Several highly noted and recognized pork chef's competiting. Some have many achievements outside the state of indiana at the national level.
You are correct -- and I didn't mean to imply that all 12 don't have a fighting chance. (And I've even edited my post.)
Bit off topic, but not totally: Got any farmers or food purveyors you'd like to nominate for the NRDC's growing green awards? It's $10,000 for the food producer prize:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2296-Indianapolis-Sustainable-Food-Examiner~y2009m1d9-The-Environmental-Emmys
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