One restaurant takes both crowns

28th annual pork cook off draws crowd

FAIRMONT - Of the five entrants in this year’s Blue Ribbon Pork Cook Off at the Martin County Fair, presented by the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Dudley's Garage took both the people's choice and connoisseur titles on Wednesday.

The connoisseurs this year were Director of Events and Promotions for the Minnesota Pork Board, Pam Voelkel, Cup and Saucer Executive Chef and Owner, Sith Lintelman and Customer Success Manager for Alltech's U.S. Pork Business, Lori Stevermer.

Also judging the contest this year were 350 members of the public, who each got to sample and savor the dishes before ranking them one through five.

To win, Dudley's Garage of Lakefield opted to go with a classic: ribs. They made bacon-cured ribs, which were double-smoked and had a maple-bourbon glaze.

"I saw a restaurant out in Texas that makes it with actually with the pork butt attached to it," Chef Eric Rossow said. "There was a little bit [of pressure], but everybody liked it when we tried it at home, so it'd be good for sure."

As a group that often does catering, Rossow said they get a lot of preparation for a large event like this. Last year, they were the People's Choice Winner, but in the years they had entered, they had never won both contests, according to Karlee Rossow. That changed Wednesday.

"Neat to see us win," Eric said. "Makes it feel good that people like our food."

"A lot of people asked us if we were putting it on our menu," Karlee said. "We usually don’t put something like ribs on our menu, but we have it as weekend specials a lot."

In second with the people and third with the connoisseurs was Torge's Bar and Grill (Green Mill) of Fairmont. They presented a braised pork rib, with farmhouse whipped potatoes and a savory red wine sauce.

Placing second in the connoisseurs’ eyes but not placing in the people's choice was Silo 67 of Fairmont. They presented a Cantonese-inspired dish with a pork char siu. It was both marinated and charred in a Hoisin Asian BBQ sauce.

Getting third in the people's choice was the Hi-Lo Club of Lakefield, which took inspiration from their neighbors up north with porky poutine. It consisted of shoestring fries, Wisconsin cheese curds and smoked pulled pork. It was finished off with Guinness pork gravy and green onions to garnish.

From Blue Earth, Farmer's Daughter chose to go with a sweet and savory combination. They entered a sweet and smoky bread pudding, which featured pulled pork layered with cinnamon bread pudding, crispy bacon bits and house-made cream cheese frosting.

Like in previous years, two Ag Scholarships were awarded thanks to the Agriculture Future of America and funds raised from the pork cook-off by the Chamber. This year, two $4,200 scholarships were given to Addison Wohlhuter of Martin County West and Merritt Pomerenke of Fairmont.

Wohlhuter has been involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, FFA, student council, National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She plans to go to Minnesota State University, Mankato for a degree in either business or elementary education.

Pomerenke's pursuits include FFA, 4-H, livestock judging, band, basketball, baseball and football. He plans to go to Iowa State University, where he wants to pursue engineering and how it can be applied in agriculture.