ver three hundred restaurant owners, foodservice professionals and pork lovers attended the Quad Cities Taste of Elegance, presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Chef Eran Salzman of Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano in Davenport took first place honors -- Chef Par Excellence -- for his innovative pork dish -- Slow Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pork Cheek Risotto and Crazy Water.

The Taste of Elegance is a culinary competition designed to inspire innovative and exciting ways to menu pork. This event brings together talented chefs for an elegant occasion that highlights pork and its popularity as a menu favorite.

The local response to the event was tremendous," said Nelda Christian, chair of the IPPA Restaurant and Foodservice Committee. "We had ten outstanding chefs who put a great amount of effort into preparing these dishes and promoting pork in their own restaurants."

Second place honors -- Superior Chef -- went to John Gnatovich of DJ's Ribs. Third place -- Premier Chef -- went to Chef Lynn Pritchard of the Red Crowe Grill. Chef Jeff Ryser of Montana Jacks was awarded the People's Choice Award.

Honors were awarded on taste, appearance and originality by a panel of three judges. As the winner of the competition, Chef Salzman will be invited to the National Taste of Elegance competition, sponsored by the National Pork Board.

Ten chefs from the Quad Cities competed in the event. Each chef prepared an original entrée, which required the use of a fresh pork cut. The Junior Chef de Cuisine Association was the designated charity. The event was held at the Lodge Hotel in Davenport.

Sponsors for the event included the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Scott County Pork Producers, Tohms Proesteler Company and the Chef de Cuisine Association of the Quad Cities.