Mori-nu Silken Tofu Declared a Winner at State Fair Soy Salad Dressing Competition

-Good Health and Great Flavor Celebrated by All-

August 18, 2015 – West Des Moines, IA – Fried food was not the only fan favorite at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. Hundreds of people stopped to sample original Mori-nu Silken Tofu-based salad dressings presented by four professional chefs as part of The Soyfoods Council and Iowa Restaurant Association’s 3^nd Annual Soy Salad Dressing Competition. The Professional Chef’s Competition took place Monday, August 17 at the Agriculture Building. Some of the area’s top chefs were invited to showcase their artistry in this delicious and healthy competition.

Top Chefs Wow the Crowd
The competitors included:

• Sous Chef Jared Harlan of Table 128 Bistor + Bar, Clive
• Chef Pam Oldes of On The Green, Oskaloosa
• Chef Alex Strauss of Hy-Vee Market Café, West Des Moines
• Chef Scott Stroud of Jethro’s BBQ, West Des Moines

Pam Oldes, Scott Stroud, Alex Strauss, and Jared Harlan

The Chefs were challenged to make salad dressing recipes which were consumer friendly, used Mori-nu Soft Silken Tofu as the base of the dressing, and were delicious enough to put on their own menu. Each chef demonstrated the process of making the dressing, and then served four judges as well as a crowd of fair-goers.

Contest judges included Tom and Susanne Oswald of the Iowa Soybean Association, Angela Ten Clay of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Blue Zones, and certified culinary instructor Robert Anderson of the Iowa Culinary Institute.

Stroud Wins
Chef Scott Stroud won first place with a bold Smoked Tomato and Tofu Vinaigrette dressing over a Farmer’s Market salad. He received a $250 prize. Chef Strauss received second place for his Silken Green Goddess dressing and Chef Oldes received third place with her refreshing Creamy Apple Vinaigrette dressing. Chef Harlan was Honorable Mention with an Asian-inspired Almond and Sesame Vinaigrette. All participants received cash prizes.

All of the chefs’ recipes are available for download on both the Iowa Restaurant Association and The Soyfoods Council websites: www.restaurantiowa.com and www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com.

The Soyfoods Council
The Soyfoods Council is an affiliate of the Iowa Soybean Association.  The mission of The Soyfoods Council is to serve as a catalyst, leader and facilitator to mainstream soy-based foods into the global marketplace—America and beyond. 

The Iowa State Fair is right around the corner and the Iowa Soybean Association will insure that fairgoers have fun while learning about agriculture and the role soybean farmers play in helping feed and fuel Iowa, the nation and world.

The association, based in Ankeny and committed to improving the competitiveness of Iowa’s 37,000 soybean farmers, is partnering with the fair and other organizations to bring some old favorites and a few new events to the list of must-see stops:

Biodiesel powering the trams — It’s easy and safe for fairgoers to get from one end of the grounds to the other thanks to the ISA sponsorship of not only the tram tractors and carts, but also the biodiesel that fuels this popular transportation.

Ag magic at your fingertips —Spectators will delight at Rhonda Renee’s Thank A Farmer show featuring storytelling, juggling and music. Renee’s performance illustrates that nearly everything we touch, consume and wear has a direct connection to agriculture and a farmer. Thirty-minute shows will be held each day in the Christensen Farms Animal Learning Center at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. Also in the Animal Learning Center,visitors can see livestock that eat Iowa grown soybeans and check out the ‘Soy- House’ to learn more about all the household products made from soy.

Focus on water — Visitors to the Ag Building can see firsthand how Iowa farmers are committed to clean water. Meander through Farmville, learn about the many conservation practices being used to protect soil and water quality and sign up to win a patio set and grill package. ISA representatives will be on hand Aug. 13 and 20.

Beat the heat, watch a free movie —”FARMLAND” follows the lives of farmers exploring the risks and rewards associated with farming and the passion that is passed down from generation to generation. It will be shown in the Maytag Family Theaters 1 p.m. daily with a farmer panel immediately following the featured presentation. Admission is free.

Be conversational about conservation — Iowa soybean farmers excelling in environmental stewardship will be recognized Aug. 19 at the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award ceremony to be held at the Penningroth Center beginning at 9 a.m.

Planting seeds of farming knowledge — Fun for children of all ages, Little Hands on Farm located just north of the Animal Learning Center is a place for children to learn how food is grown by participating in a variety of hands-on activities. They can also package soybeans to help feed Iowa’s pork and poultry industries.

Eat and enjoy —The Soyfoods Council will present two chances to experience soyfoods at the fair on Aug. 17. The Annual Soy Salad Dressing Professional Chef Contest (sponsored by Morinaga) will be held 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Ag Building — stop by to test the chef’s creations! The second opportunity is a cooking demonstration and soyfoods contest judging at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Elwell Building.

Iowa Food & Family Project exhibit – Again this year, the ISA is partnering with the Iowa Food & Family Project to feed people’s curiosity about how food is grown and the dedicated farmers who grow it. The must-see exhibit is open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily in the southeast atrium of the Varied Industries Building and will feature a must-see sculpture created from more than 50 tons of sand. Win Casey’s pizza for a year, grab your copy of the Iowa Food & Family Cookbook and test your knowledge of agriculture to win great prizes!

To learn more about ISA, go to www.iasoybeans.com.