<p>For Immediate Release: Contact: January 8, 2007 Alison Dreeszen, Marketing Director (800) 372-7675, [email protected]</p><p>Top Iowa chefs to compete in Iowa Pork Taste of Elegance</p><p>(Clive, Iowa) The Iowa Pork Taste of Elegance will again bring together Iowa’s top chefs for the annual culinary competition Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, at the Des Moines Marriott Hotel. In its 20th year, this Checkoff- funded competition continues to inspire chefs to create new and exciting ways to menu pork.</p><p>Sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, this popular contest brings together skilled chefs from across Iowa for an elegant occasion that highlights pork and its popularity as a menu favorite. “The Taste of Elegance contest epitomizes the quality of pork entree preparation in Iowa,” said IPPA Restaurant & Foodservice Committee Chairperson Nelda Christian. “We have seen an increase of high-end restaurants that pride themselves in presenting dishes featuring pork. The Restaurant & Foodservice Committee has maintained that this competitive event is equal to or better than similar contests throughout the United States.” </p><p>The IPPA Restaurant and Foodservice Committee also coordinates Taste of Elegance competitions in other major cities across the U.S., as well as a Student Taste of Elegance for Iowa colleges with culinary programs.</p><p>Recipes will be judged by industry professionals on taste, appearance and originality. The first place winner, Chef Par Excellence, will receive $1,000 and be eligible to compete in the national Taste of Elegance competition, slated for spring of 2007. Second place will be awarded the title of Superior Chef and will receive $500. Third place, Premier Chef, will receive $250. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive $500.</p><p>Chefs competing in the 2007 Iowa Pork Taste of Elegance: Chef Christopher Bennett Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse West Des Moines Chef Clint Goodman Daniel Arthur’s Cedar Rapids Chef John Weiler Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse West Des Moines Chef Veronica Forrett Alpha’s on the Riverfront Fort Madison Chef Ephraim Malag Oak View Polk City Chef Jered Dieter Devotay Iowa City Chef Kevin Henning Devotay Iowa City Chef Andrew Ungs Park Place Event Center Cedar Falls Chef D’Michael Williams The Basil Ames Chef Cody James Manhattan Catering, LLC Windsor Heights Chef Alex Strauss Sans Souci Catering West Des Moines Chef Adin Wheat Café Dodici Washington</p><p>-30-</p>