Celebrating Indiana pork, cuisine

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis chef Craig Baker took home the top award at this year’s Taste of Elegance for his mouthwatering dish — Moo Ping Iberico pork secreto with soy forbidden rice, a charred baby beet salad, sticky pork belly, smoked Rice Krispies and Thai red curry espuma.

Baker took home a $1,000 prize from Indiana Pork.

The Taste of Elegance program brings talented chefs together to compete in the prestigious event, created to encourage chefs to use pork more frequently in creative, nontraditional ways.

The event attracts over 400 pork farmers, lawmakers, ag industry leaders and dignitaries to downtown Indianapolis for an evening of elegance and celebration.

“Chef Baker is no stranger to food competitions,” said Jeanette Merritt, Indiana Pork spokesperson. “Chef has a great understanding of how to make pork taste delicious and design a plate that is appealing to the judges. His dish was an outstanding example of well-prepared pork.”

Other winning chefs from the night include:

• Superior Chef Award — Second place: Steven Amore

• Premium Chef Award — Third place: Chefski Laskowski

• Wine Pairing Award: Craig Baker

• People’s Choice Award — Favorite Entrée: Michael Gomez

• People’s Choice Award — Favorite Display: Daniel Keiner

• People’s Choice Award — Favorite Wine: McClure’s Orchard & Winery