Tim McCarty enjoys working with pork, for its versatility of cuts and flavors, and his expertise showed as he earned the 2020 Chef Par Excellence for the Minnesota Taste of Elegance to kick off this week's Minnesota Pork Congress. McCarty's Cheeky Belly and Bourbon Vanilla Bean-Glazed Pork Belly Burnt Ends impressed judges so much that they chose him over the other six participating chefs.

With 40 years of culinary experience, McCarty has been the executive chef at the Foundation House in Rochester for 23 years, and he first competed in the Taste of Elegance in 1998. This is the second time that he has taken home the top prize, also winning in 2001.

Minnesota Pork Board's Taste of Elegance always draws a big crowd to see how creative Minnesota chefs can be with a variety of pork cuts.

In 2006, McCarty was the Celebrated Chef for the National Pork Board.

National Hog Farmer caught up with Chef McCarty shortly after claiming the title of Chef Par Excellence, and the $1,500 cash prize. Watch as he explains what goes into making a winning pork dish.