What a weekend! The Indy Final Table was unlike any other Final Table. We kicked off the events with Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch's recognition of seventeen Indiana Culinary Heroes which included restauranteurs and food producers from all over the state that made a positive impact on their communities during the early days of the pandemic. Then, with the announcement “Let the Food Games Begin”, our ten World Food Champions began their quest for the $100,000 prize. Three culinary challenges were judged by a panel of Indiana food experts from all disciplines. Developing dishes using Indiana raised Pork products reduced the field to five contestants. Next, our competitors were challenged to replicate a duck dish using premium duck from...

In an event at Ivy Tech Culinary Center August 7th Friday morning Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch welcomed and recognized 17 restauranteurs and food producers named as IndIana Culinary Heroes. Each received a special certificate signed by the Lieutenant Governor recognizing each organization for creatively repurposing their culinary expertise and operational experience to serve the needs of their employees, customers and communities during the pandemic of 2020.

Maple Leaf Farms, premier Indiana producer of farm to table products featuring world class White-Pekin Duck will be the product sponsor for the second round of competition which begins with a private tasting prepared by award winning chef Greg Hardesty. Chef Hardesty will prepare and serve the same dish that contestants will be challenged to prepare the following morning during the second round of competition. Utilizing Maple Leaf Farms premier duck, Chef Hardesty will prepare a Roast Duck Breast with Crispy Duck Spring Roll and Fried Wild Rice. “Connecting the premier talent in the world of food sports with Maple Leaf Farms premier duck products and sharing that experience with a national TV audience is a shining example of showcasing...