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 Chef Shad Kirton of The Hotel Pattee
in Perry recently took top honors during the Iowa Pork Taste of
Elegance, an annual culinary competition designed to inspire innovative
and exciting ways to menu pork. This event brings together talented
chefs from across Iowa for an elegant occasion that highlights
pork and its popularity as a menu favorite.
"This year we had an excellent contest,"
said Nelda Christian, Chairperson of the Iowa Pork Producers Association's
Restaurant and Foodservice Committee. "We had seven outstanding
chefs who put a tremendous amount of effort into preparing these
dishes and promoting pork in their own restaurants."
 Preparing a Seared Pork
Tenderloin with Warm Apple and Pork Confit Salad, Maytag Blue
Cheese Ice Cream and Almond Crusted Cinnamon Raisin Crostini,
Chef Kirton was awarded first place -- Chef Par Excellence --
and also won the People's Choice Award.
Second place honors -- Superior Chef -- were
given to Chef Alex Strauss of the Sans Souci Personal Chef Service
of West Des Moines. Chef Strauss prepared Grilled Honey-Cured
Pork Chops with Tabasco Butter Sauce and Fried Oysters.
 Chef Joe Cross of Clocktower
Café and Sodexho Corp at Allied Insurance, both of Des
Moines, came in third place -- Premier Chef -- with his Clocktower
Napoleon, a boneless pork loin with Wild Mushroom Fricassee, Garlic
Spinach and a Red Wine Reduction.
 Seven restaurants from the state of Iowa
competed in the competition, which was held during the Iowa Pork
Congress in Des Moines. Each chef prepared an original entrée
requiring the use of a fresh cut of pork. Entrées were
judged on taste, originality and creativity by a panel of four
judges.
Chef Kirton will go on to compete in the National
Taste of Elegance, held May 4 in Des Moines. The competition was
sponsored by Elanco Animal Health and coordinated by the Iowa
Pork Producers Association.
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