Taste of Elegance: Chefs share best pork dishes

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s top chefs shared their best pork dishes at this year’s Taste of Elegance event hosted by Indiana Pork.

Chefs Alan Sternberg of Iozza’s, Ross Katz of Rooster’s Kitchen, Joel Scott of Spoke and Steel and Cole Padgett of Taxman Taproom took home top honors for their dishes.

“Taste of Elegance gives some of Indiana’s top chefs the chance to showcase pork in creative ways,” said Jeanette Merritt, Indiana Pork spokesperson.

“We are fortunate to have so many chefs who feature pork on the menus. Having them compete at Taste of Elegance lets us highlight the great things they are doing in their restaurants.

“We are also incredibly grateful to these chefs, who are still overcoming so many hurdles of the past two years of this pandemic, for persevering and keeping their doors open.”

Winning Chefs

• Premium Chef Award — Joel Scott, Spoke and Steel.

• Superior Chef Award — Ross Katz, Rooster’s Kitchen.

• Chef Par Excellence Award — Alan Sternberg, Iozza’s.

• People’s Choice Wine — French Lick Winery.

• People’s Choice Best Display — Cole Padgett, Taxman Fortville.

• People’s Choice Best Entrée — Cole Padgett, Taxman Fortville.

• Wine Pairing Award — Joel Scott, Spoke and Steel.

Award Winners

• Contract Grower of the Year — The Howard Family, Cass County.

• Meritorious Service Award — Kaye Whitehead (posthumously), Delaware County.

• Meritorious Service Award — David Rodibaugh, Jasper County.

• Nick Maple of Amboy was also recognized as an outstanding Indiana Pork board member.