The Iowa Pork Producers Association is now accepting nominations for its 17th annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin and the restaurant that serves it until June 6.

“We look forward to this contest each year because we love how excited and passionate our Iowa tenderloin connoisseurs get,” says Kelsey Sutter, IPPA marketing and program director. “This contest recognizes Iowa dining establishments that have pork as a regular menu item in support of Iowa's nation-leading pork industry.”

Any Iowa restaurant, café or tavern that has hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloins on its menu is eligible to be nominated. In order to win, the nominated business must be open year-round, however seasonal restaurants can be in the final top five.

IPPA says it's the first round where the tenderloin-lover will have the biggest impact. Nominations can be made online at www.iowapork.org/tenderloin-form, or by mailing in a form from the May issue of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine to the IPPA office. Only one nomination per person and the person nominating the winning restaurant will be entered in a drawing for one $100 prize.

The nomination round will generate up to 40 restaurants. Then over the summer the restaurants with the most nominations from each of the eight IPPA districts will be selected for a review by IPPA's restaurant and foodservice committee. Their reviews will determine which restaurants are turned over to a secret panel of judges who will score the tenderloins on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience. The winner will be named during October Pork Month.

The winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque to display in their business and statewide publicity that will bring in new business.

Winners from the past five years (past winners are not eligible for the competition): 2018 - Three C's Diner, Corning; 2017 - Grid Iron Grill, Webster City; 2016 - Nick's, Des Moines; 2015 - Belmond Drive-in, Belmond; 2014 -The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden.

In 2018, IPPA received nearly 1,600 nominations for 380 different establishments.

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.