Pork producers from Virginia, North Carolina, and Iowa announced a donation of $100,000 worth of pork products, equivalent to 54,000 pounds, to the Capital Area Food Bank.
“We strive to make sure we’re distributing healthy, nutritious food to our neighbors in need every day, and that includes protein products like pork,” Emily Laur-Bader, director of corporate partnerships at the Capital Area Food Bank, said in the wake of Monday’s donation. “This amazing donation is hugely helpful to us to ensure families in our region can access the food they need to thrive.”
The $100K Pork Chop Challenge is a contest celebrating restaurants in the Capital Beltway area that feature unique and delicious pork chop dishes. The event is hosted by the Virginia Pork Council, with support from the Iowa Pork Producers Association, North Carolina Pork Council, National Restaurant Association, and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. The challenge offers a $100,000 prize to the winning restaurant and a $100,000 donation of pork products to the Capital Area Food Bank.
“I’m proud to be here today representing Virginia’s hog farmers this morning. I want to thank the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the North Carolina Pork Council for their support of the $100,000 Pork Chop Challenge and this $100,000 donation to the Capitol Area Food Bank,” said RO Britt, president of the Virginia Pork Council. “This contribution is a reflection of the commitment hog farmers across the country have to their local communities and to people in need. From donations to food banks to disaster support, our farmers are constantly working to help those who need just a little help putting food on the table. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible.”
Also in attendance were Mandy and Joe Neuman of Sloppy Mama’s BBQ, winners of the $100k Pork Chop Challenge. This donation marks the culmination of the $100k Pork Chop Challenge, a competition celebrating the finest pork chop dishes in the Capital Beltway area.
This year, 28 restaurants competed, and thousands of people from the region voted, narrowing down the competition to five finalists:
- Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen with Chef Duane Hamilton
- Dauphine’s with Chef Douglas Alexander
- Rasika West End with Chef Vikram Sunderam
- Sloppy Mama’s BBQ with Chefs Mandy and Joe Neuman
- Death Punch Bar with Chef Darren Norris
The three judges, Jason Smith, chef and proprietor of 18 Restaurant Group (North Carolina), Steve Sadowski, associate dean at the Culinary Institute of Virginia, and Trish Cook, past president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, had the delightful yet challenging task of selecting a winner. Each restaurant showcased its unique take on pork chops, but ultimately, Sloppy Mama’s BBQ emerged as the victor.
