News

Wisconsin Taste of Elegance finalists named

The finalists have been named for the 2015 Wisconsin Taste of Elegance contest. Eight chefs will prepare an original pork entrée at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on January 29th.

The eight chefs are:

• Chef Michael Althen, Elite Catering & Bakery, Baraboo
• Chef Mario Giuliani, Carnevor-Steakhouse Moderne, Milwaukee
• Chef AJ Hurst, Vintage Brewing Company, Madison
• Chef James Jens, Dinners with Class, Cedar Grove
• Chef Van Luu, Locavore Restaurant, Milwaukee
• Chef Jamie Pospeschil, Big Foot Country Club, Fontana
• Chef Keith Stefani, Champions Restaurant, Sheboygan Falls
• Chef Mitchel Weber, Piggy’s Restaurant & Blues Lounge, La Crosse

At stake in the competition is $2000 in cash prizes and a complimentary trip from the National Pork Board to the Culinary Institute of America in Greystone, California. A panel of judges will determine the Chef Par Excellence, Superior Chef, and Premium Chef based on each entrée’s taste, appearance, and originality. A $250 Best Use of Soy Award, sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, will also be presented to a chef featuring soy accompaniments with their pork entrée.

The public is invited to experience the flavor and quality of foods produced by the state’s farmers and chefs at a reception on January 29 beginning at 6:15 p.m. Attendees can sample menu specialties from the chefs competing in the Taste of Elegance and vote for their favorite entrée to determine the $250 People’s Choice Award. Tickets to the Taste of Elegance are $30.00 and available for purchase the day of the event.  Further details available here:

 

*pictured above are the 2014 Wisconsin Taste of Elegance winners: Matt Baier, Executive Chef with Dream Dance Steak in Milwaukee, captured the Chef Par Excellence award: Chef Jason Demers with Christians Bistro in Plover, received the Superior Chef; Premium Chef was Chef Vincent Franz, Wild Canyon Café, Wisconsin Dells.  Voted the People’s Choice winner was Chef Kurt Wagner with the Wisconsin Machine Shed, Pewaukee.