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Wisconsin Taste of Elegance chefs named

Seven chefs have been named to compete in the annual Wisconsin Taste of Elegance contest at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells on January 31st.

• Chef Aaron Fidder, Wisconsin Machine Shed Restaurant, Appleton
• Chef James Deptula, Heatland Grill, Madison
• Chef Lisa Hitchcock, Survivors Bar and Grill, Wisconsin Dells
• Chef Paul Cummings, Heidel House Resort and Spa, Green Lake
• Chef Zachary Benson, The Pine Lodge Restaurant at Heartwood Conference Center and Retreat, Trego
• Chef Tyler Salsbery, The Black Sheep Restaurant, Whitewater
• Chef Rob Gamble, Bigfoot Country Club, Fontana

Each chef will prepare an original pork recipe that has not been previously featured on their menu. The reception featuring these seven chefs will begin at 6:15 p.m. The public is invited to experience the flavor and quality of foods produced by the state’s farmers.

Tickets for the Taste of Elegance are $20.00 each. Attendees can sample menu specialties from chefs who will be competing for the title of Chef Par Excellence, top prize of $750, and a complimentary trip from the National Pork Board to the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, California. The Superior Chef will receive $500, and $250 will be awarded to the Premium Chef.

New to the contest this year will be a ‘Best Use of Soy’ Award with a prize of $250, featuring soy accompaniments, where chefs can include soy nuts, edamame, tofu, soy sauce, or soybean oil, with their pork entrée. In addition, those in attendance at the reception will select their favorite entrée, and a $250 People’s Choice Award will be presented.

The Taste of Elegance is part of the annual Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo.