Posted: 02.05.2012
The winner of this years Taste of Elegance didn't have to travel too far to apply his skills. Chef Miles Breed, of the Great Karoo Restaurant in the Kalahari Resort, WI Dells - was named Chef Par Excellence over 7 other chef's on Thursday night. For his original pork recipe - Breed picked up a $750 check and the chance to travel to the National Pork Board's meeting in March to learn more about the pork industry overall - and a chance to interact with other chef's at the Culinary Institute of America in California.
Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the WI Pork Association which hosts the annual event, said that they had been a little concerned at how slowly applications came in. Vaassen said they actually extended the deadline by a few days and then "the fax machine started to hum". In the end, Vaassen said they decided to take the first eight applications that came in - and they weren't disappointed.
Vaassen said the WI Pork Association (WPA) also used their annual meeting as a chance to talk strategy on growing Wisconsin's pork industry. "We've really been taking a look at this," Vaassen told Pam Jahnke. "The seperation distance that we've got with the lower density in the state is a real benefit. " A major project Wisconsin's leading is eradicating Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome - PRRS for short. If Wisconsin could become PRRS-free, she believes it might attract addtional pork production to the state.
The annual Pie Auction held following the Taste of Elegance generated $6,400 in scholarship funds for the WPA.
In addition to Breed capturing the Chef Par Excellence during the "Taste" - other chef's were also recognized by judges and the audience votes.
Chef Jeffrey Orr of the University of Wisconsin-Madison was named Superior Chef and wins $500.
Chef Michael White of Biaggi’s was named Premium Chef getting $250.
The “People’s Choice” winner - voted on by the sampling audience - went to Chef Nicholas Bijak of the Heidel House Resort and Spa, Green Lake.
Find out more about the WI Pork Association's annual meeting and goals by listening to Pam and Tammy Vaassen talk. Just click here.
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