New York – October 08, 2026 -- The European Union staged a live culinary competition inside Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall to promote PDO- and PGI-certified food and beverage exports to US trade buyers and media.
Mishka Murphy wins head-to-head cooking battle with PDO and PGI ingredients
Murphy defeated fellow contestant Alexa Santos in the Taste of Europe Challenge, held October 7, with a winning dish of Marinated Runner Beans, Whipped Noord-Hollandse Gouda PDO, Jambon de Bayonne PGI, fresh herbs, and European olive oil. Contestants sourced ingredients from an on-site European Market set up for the competition.
EU agriculture official frames event as market-entry push for authenticity-labeled goods
Nadia Loddo, Agriculture Counsellor at the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, served as a judge alongside Top Chef Season 21 winner Danny Garcia, Ilena Tovia, and Eater correspondent Matthew Kang. Loddo said the competition demonstrated that European products carry stories of origin, tradition, and craftsmanship beyond the ingredient itself.
Product tastings targeted trade and consumer audiences across three categories
Attendees sampled European cheeses, olive oils, and chocolates guided by olive oil expert Isabella Cassell, cheesemonger Joshua Santamaria, and chocolatier Jacques Torres. The event drew food and beverage trade professionals, media, and the public to one of New York's highest-traffic venues.
Event anchors EU-funded campaign covering all 27 member states
The challenge formed part of the "More Than European Food and Drinks, Savoring Stories" campaign, financed by the European Union to inform US audiences about the safety, quality, authenticity, and sustainability of EU food and beverage products. The campaign emphasizes quality labels including Protected Designation of Origin, Protected Geographical Indication, and organic certification across products from the EU's 27 member states.