Eleven teams from five different colleges and universities recently put their culinary skills to the test during the Iowa Pork Producers Association's Student Taste of Elegance. The event was held at the Iowa Culinary Institute on the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny. 

“IPPA annually hosts this culinary contest to help students build their skills and confidence in cooking pork,” says Kelsey Sutter, marketing and programs director at IPPA. “It also inspires students to think about innovative and exciting ways to present pork on menus.”

This year's competing teams created an original pork entrée using pork belly as the main cut.

The first place team at the March contest was Kirkwood Community College students Maiah Johanningmeier, Decorah, and Richard Byrd, Iowa City. They prepared Dashi Sous Vide Pork Belly with Sweet Potato Pave, Homemade Kimichi, Marinated Egg, Chicharron and Satay Sauce. Johanningmeier and Byrd each receive $100 scholarships from IPPA, and the KCC culinary program received $750 for their scholarship fund.

A team from Iowa State University received second place by preparing Crispy Herb-Braised Pork Belly with Leek Ricotta Cream, Acorn Squash Fries and Fib-Cabernet Reduction. ISU students on the team were Cristina Franco-Olvera, McAllen, Texas, Anna Sullivan, Cedar Rapids, and Sara Siebrecht, Sheldon. These three students received $50 scholarships each, and ISU's culinary program received $500 from IPPA for their scholarship fund.

The third place team came from Iowa Western Community College. The student team, which included Brent Gallaher and Clayton West, both of Atlantic, along with Marie Chocolate, Council Bluffs, prepared Slow-Roasted Southern Style Pork Belly. The students received $25 scholarships each, and the IWCC culinary program received $250 for their scholarship fund.

Other schools that had teams participating in the contest were Des Moines Area Community College and Indian Hills. Each of the participating schools received a $500 stipend for food and contest expenses for the contest.

The contest is made possible through the Pork Checkoff program and is supported by IPPA's restaurant and food service committee.

Source: Iowa Pork Producers Association, who is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.