Suzy VenHorst, Scott County Pork Producers, (563) 349-6205
Chef Brad Scott, Scott Community College, (563) 441-4246
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!
Quad Cities Taste of Elegance winner announced
(BETTENDORF, Iowa) – Ten area chefs squared off July 11 in the annual Quad-Cities Taste of Elegance pork culinary competition at the Isle of Capri Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Nearly 200 people attended the event, which began in 1985 as a way to encourage white tablecloth restaurants to add pork entrees to their menus.
Isle of Capri Chef Shawn Timmerman produced the winning entrée and was named Chef Par Excellence. His “Bloody Mary Braised Pork Belly with Micro Celery Salad, White Cheddar Grits, Praline Bacon, Sweet Corn Ice Cream and Uncommon Reduction” creation earned him a plaque and a check for $1,000 from the Iowa and Illinois Pork Producers associations. Timmerman is now eligible to represent the Quad Cities at Pork Summit 2012, a national Taste of Elegance event to be held next spring in California.
Chef Jerimy Henson of the Outing Club in Davenport was the runner up and named Superior Chef. He received a plaque and $700. His entree was Bourbon Vanilla Sous Vide Pork Heart, Prosciutto Arancini, Golden Beets, Caramelized Coco Nibs and Pineapple Jalapeno Caviar.
Third place and Premier Chef honors went to Chef Doug Lear of Bass Street Chop House in Moline, Ill. He was awarded a plaque and $300 for his Double Cooked Southern Inspired Cheek, Aged White Cheddar Polenta Cake, Wilted Greens, Bacon Jus and Cornbread Tuile entree.
The 200 guests selected their favorite pork entrée and Lear was given the People’s Choice Award. He received a second plaque and a $250 check from the Scott County Pork Producers.
“The guests in the ballroom were definitely enjoying all the different samples of each chef’s entrée,” said Suzy VenHorst, a member of the Scott County Pork Producers and the Iowa Pork Producer Association’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee. “Out committee feels this event was another great success and we can’t wait for next year’s Taste of Elegance.”
Six of the competing chefs represented Iowa and the other four were from Illinois.
Other participating sponsors were Martin Brothers. Distributing Co., Scott Community College, Milan Florist, The Isle of Capri and the Chef de Cuisine Association.
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Editor’s Note: Photos will be provided upon request!