FAIRMONT - Vetters' Catering of Fairmont took first place in the People's Choice category of the 14th Annual Martin County Blue Ribbon Pork Cook-Off for the second year in a row on Wednesday.
The Sirloin House, also of Fairmont, finished first in the professional judging category at the Martin County Fair.
Vetters' served a pulled pork taco with pineapple salsa while the Sirloin House dished up pork canitas tacos.
"It's always a fun event to take part in," said Jeff Vetter. "Nice to promote pork in Martin County."
"It feels good to win!" said Lori Frank, owner of the Sirloin House, adding it was the seventh year the business has participated. "It's good for the community. We see a lot of our customers and say hi to them."
Token BBQ of Mapleton took second place in both categories with its rib and bean dish.
Bailey's Restaurant & Bar of Ormsby took third with a bacony pork loin in the People's Choice, while George's Fine Dining & Spirits of New Ulm took third with ribs in the professionals voting.
Rose Lake Golf Club and Green Mill Restaurant, both of Fairmont, also participated.
About 380 people came and ate, said organizer Bruce Peters. For the 14th year, ballots were tallied by Roessler Nuss & Co.
Professional judges were David Preisler, executive director of Minnesota Pork Producers Association; Craig Mensink, member of the National Pork Board Domestic Marketing Committee; and Jeremy Neppl, owner of La Chiesa, an Italian restaurant in Spencer, Iowa.
The event was presented by the Fairmont Area Chamber Agri-Business Committee, Martin County Pork Producers and Martin County Corn and Soybean Growers.
All money raised from the event goes to fund two $4,200 scholarships awarded as a direct result of the cook-off.
Sponsors include: Fairmont Veterinary Clinic, Preferred Capital Management, Profinium, Bank Midwest, Valero Renewables, Kahler Automation, WFS, Cargill, Devenish Nutrition, Dutch Creek Farms and Ag Star Farm Credit.
