Once again this October, local chefs will be vying for the title of Best PEI Porktoberfest Chef.
PEI Porktoberfest returns for its 3rd annual celebration of PEI pork. The campaign is presented in partnership with the Prince Edward Island Hog Producers, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, PEI Flavours, PEI Restaurant Association, Cooke Insurance Group, Hometown Pork and Fresh Media.
“This campaign provides a great opportunity to promote the high quality of Prince Edward Island pork by engaging Islanders and local chefs in a creative campaign that benefits our pork industry and our local restaurants,” said Minister of Agriculture and Forestry George Webster. “Porktoberfest also adds to the province's growing reputation as a culinary destination featuring local foods and the people who produce it. The Province of Prince Edward Island is pleased to partner on this initiative.”
After the inaugural campaign highlighted gourmet sausages, the featured dish last year changed to pulled pork sandwiches. When the campaign ended seeing a huge spike in sales of almost 13,000 sandwiches compared to 2,800 sausages, organizers knew keeping pulled pork sandwiches as the featured pork product was a must.
“We had such a positive response last year, with many Islanders having their first ever pulled pork sandwich during PEI Porktoberfest,” said Melody Dover, owner of Fresh Media, the Charlottetown agency that created and manages PEI Porktoberfest. “We're excited to continue to grow the campaign as we shine a spotlight on our local hog producers.”
Using PEI pulled pork as the signature ingredient, 27 Island restaurants have created one-of-a-kind sandwiches in hopes of winning the “Best PEI Porktoberfest Chef” title. The versatility of pulled pork is in full display as local chefs have used tangy BBQ, apple, peach, Cuban, chipotle pineapple, and even Dr. Pepper to flavour their pulled pork.
Each restaurant has also branded their pulled pork sandwiches with unique names such as the Porkadilla, the Truffle Pig, the Hearty Hog and Porkology 101.
“The Prince Edward Island hog industry is pleased to be part of the PEI Porktoberfest again this year,” said Tim Seeber, Manager of the PEI Hog Marketing Board. “It is our hope that people will get out and enjoy some of the pulled pork offerings of our culinary partners, and remember that the pork industry still plays a role in the agriculture community of our province.”
The campaign has also introduced new ways for Islanders to win, with prizes including the chance for businesses to win corporate PEI Porktoberfest lunches, vouchers for a pound of local bacon, plus a grand prize of a Broil King BBQ and a traditional Farm Market Half Hog gift pack from Hometown Pork that includes over 70lbs of PEI pork in various cuts.
For the Best PEI Porktoberfest Chef title, Islanders are encouraged to eat the sandwiches, then vote online for their favourite chef creation, with every vote being another opportunity for people to win prizes.
“Our goal is to celebrate the talents of our local chefs combined with the amazing pork that our hardworking PEI producers provide,” added Dover. “After one bite of these sandwiches, Islanders will taste the difference of local and have a lot of piggy-fun doing so.”
To view the full list of PEI Porktoberfest creations, visit www.peiporktoberfest.ca. The campaign runs until October 31.