Chef Happel Wins Taste of Elegance™ Contest

Klaus Happel, executive chef at the Renaissance Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., won top honors in the 17th annual national Taste of Elegance contest May 1 in Orlando, Fla.  The competition, sponsored by the Pork Checkoff, featured 22 chefs, all winners of sTaste and regional Taste of Elegance contests.

 “You can do anything and everything with pork,” said Happel, whose winning entrée was Braised Pork Shank Medallion Wrapped in Savoy Cabbage.  He was raised in Germany and pursued his culinary career at hotels, clubs and fine dining establishments in Italy, Ireland, London and Toronto before coming to the United STastes in 1994.

“There are so many different pork cuts and so many different flavors that it's exciting to see what everyone prepares for the competition,” he said.  

In the national contest, chefs across the country created original pork entrees that were judged for taste, appearance and originality.  The contest was created to encourage chefs to increase pork’s use in creative, non-traditional ways.

For Klaus’ winning recipe and for more about the runners up, go to pork.org or call (800) 456-PORK.