FROM THE GUTHRIE
COUNTY VEDETTE 10/19/06
A sandwich that is a local favorite at
Lake Panorama's Links Restaurant and Lounge has been named first
runner-up in a statewide
contest. This is the fourth year for the
Iowa Pork Producers Association Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest.
Chef Mike Harris serves about 50 breaded
tenderloins each week, plus another 25 grilled tenderloins. He
says one reason for he
good taste is the tenderloins always are prepared
fresh daily, never frozen.
Harris buys the pork loins from Sysco
Corporation. After trimming, the meat is run through a tenderizer
twice and breaded with
egg wash, flour and Japanese breadcrumbs.
The tenderloins are deep-fried in liquid shortening and served hot,
golden and crispy.
The Links was one of 83 restaurants in
Iowa nominated in the contest by 600 people. More than 40
different Iowa pork producers
visited the restaurants over the summer to
do the preliminary judging. The final round of judging was held in
late September, with the sandwiches rated on taste, physical
characteristics and appearance.
The Town House Supper Club in Wellsburg
was the contest winner and will receive a plaque and a $200 check.
The Links will also
receive a plaque and $100.
Harris has been the chef at the Lake
Panorama Golf Course and Conference Center for six years. He began
his cooking career in private clubs, and has worked in Des Moines,
Nebraska and Dallas and The Port at Panora.
Harris says he wasn't surprised his
breaded pork tenderloins ranked so high in the competition. "I
knew it was good," he says.
Iowa Pork Producers officials say
restaurants that do not win the competition can be nominated in future
years. "Maybe we'll
win it next year," Harris says. |