People's Choice winner: 2008 Taste of Elegance
The event organized by the South Dakota Pork Producers Council is a culinary competition featuring 11 South Dakota chefs. The Miller's started being "chefs" three years when they decided to purchase Pike Haven Resort and Steakhouse on Lake Oahe, just north of Pierre.
Prior to owning and operating the resort John worked as an engineer and Jacque did interior design and wedding planning.
Jacque said, "Cooking was something I did for the family, but when you decide to retire in a restaurant kitchen you had better learn how to cook well - and we had to learn fast."
Other chefs at Sunday night's event represented Tre Lounge, Royal River Casino, Minnehaha County Club, Caranval Brazilian Grill, Holiday Inn City Centre and the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Sunday morning chefs presented a complete meal to three judges who choose a winner based on originality, appearance and taste. Winner, Tyler Honke of Tre Lounge in Sioux Falls received an engraved crystal plate, $1,000 and the opportunity to compete at the National Taste of Elegance at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in Lakeside, CA in May.Sunday evening chefs prepared samples of their entrées for 500 guests. The guests voted for the winner of Peoples Choice.
Spike's Blue Plate Special, served by the Millers, beat out other selections that included Cobnut Crusted Pork Loin, Rajun Cajun Pork Linguine and Roast Prime Rib of Pork with Port Wine Fig Sauce. The Blue Plate Special featured center cut pork loin served with Pike Haven’s famous cheesy potatoes. Unlike the rest of the chefs, this was the first cooking competition for the staff at Pike Haven.
John said, "We had few expectations - honestly, we didn't know if we were good enough to do something like this." The crowd disagreed and confirmed that "simple was better" when it came to the judging public. The couple received a crystal plate and a check for $250.
Prior to owning and operating the resort John worked as an engineer and Jacque did interior design and wedding planning.
Jacque said, "Cooking was something I did for the family, but when you decide to retire in a restaurant kitchen you had better learn how to cook well - and we had to learn fast."
Other chefs at Sunday night's event represented Tre Lounge, Royal River Casino, Minnehaha County Club, Caranval Brazilian Grill, Holiday Inn City Centre and the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Sunday morning chefs presented a complete meal to three judges who choose a winner based on originality, appearance and taste. Winner, Tyler Honke of Tre Lounge in Sioux Falls received an engraved crystal plate, $1,000 and the opportunity to compete at the National Taste of Elegance at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino in Lakeside, CA in May.Sunday evening chefs prepared samples of their entrées for 500 guests. The guests voted for the winner of Peoples Choice.
Spike's Blue Plate Special, served by the Millers, beat out other selections that included Cobnut Crusted Pork Loin, Rajun Cajun Pork Linguine and Roast Prime Rib of Pork with Port Wine Fig Sauce. The Blue Plate Special featured center cut pork loin served with Pike Haven’s famous cheesy potatoes. Unlike the rest of the chefs, this was the first cooking competition for the staff at Pike Haven.
John said, "We had few expectations - honestly, we didn't know if we were good enough to do something like this." The crowd disagreed and confirmed that "simple was better" when it came to the judging public. The couple received a crystal plate and a check for $250.
