Mango Taste-Off Will Feature Chefs of Monarch, Harvest

By John H. Tucker Mon., May 2 2011 at 12:00 PM

Categories: Contests!

MangoMania comes to Maplewood.

Did you know that the mango is considered a sacred fruit in Southeast Asia and India because the Buddha supposedly meditated under a mango tree?

Neither did we. Nor did we know that mangos are cited in ancient Hindu texts dating back to 4000 B.C. Or that that the mango belongs to the same family as the cashew and pistachio nut. Or that that there are at least six different mango varieties sold in local grocery stores.

It's all true, according to the National Mango Board, which this month is sponsoring an "Ultimate Mango Taste-Off" in six U.S. cities.

On Friday, May 6, the mango tour rolls through St. Louis. Chef Josh Galliano of Monarch will do battle with Chef Nick Miller of Harvest to see who can create the best mango-inspired dish that reflects our local cuisine.

The event will be held at Monarch, in Maplewood, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. It's free and open to the public, but space is limited. (For reservations, click here.)

According to promotional material, Galliano creates an ingredient-driven menu that utilizes fresh produce, while Miller emphasizes the use of seasonal products to create his dishes.

Mango food samplings will be provided by the Schnucks and the National Mango Board. For more information, visit the contest website.

And just to get you pumped up for the contest, we'll leave you with this clip on how to properly slice a mango: