2012 National Lamb Jam Tour Kicks Off In Seattle

DENVER, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, October 23, 2011, 19 top chefs united for the third annual Lamb Jam Seattle and kick off to the 2012 national Lamb Jam tour.  Sponsored by the American Lamb Board, this annual taste around event drew more than 600 fans of lamb to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center to learn about the rich flavor and versatility of American lamb.  

Celebrity Chef and Host Thierry Rautureau emceed as local chefs competed for top honors and created succulent and savory selections paired with more than 30 Washington wines.  Chef Alex Paguaga of Portals at Suncadia Lodge was named "Best in Show" for his Sumac Masala Rubbed Lamb Shoulder with Cauliflower Puree, Royal Pine Mushroom and Honey Crisp Apple dish and will go on to battle top lamb loving chefs from Boston, San Francisco and Washington DC at a Master Lamb Jam in New York City in 2012.

Guests at the American Lamb Jam enjoyed butchery demonstrations and wolfed down tastes created with local lamb from Anderson Ranches in Oregon.  Fans of lamb sat for lambtastic caricatures created by a local artist, sipped local Washington wine and small batch bourbon from Jefferson's and took home stellar swag and enjoyed tastes from competing chefs, who received the following notable accolades:

• Judge's Best in Show / Shoulder Best in Show: Portals at Suncadia Lodge for Chef Alex Paguaga's Sumac Masala Rubbed Lamb Shoulder with Cauliflower Puree, Royal Pine Mushroom and Honey Crisp
• People's Choice / Loin Best in Show: LOLA for Chef Liam Spence's Smoked Lamb Carpaccio with Truffled White Bean Skordalia
• Shank Best in Show: Barking Frog for Chef Bobby Moore's Braised Lamb Shank Crepinette with Truffled Yukon Gold Potato and Parsnip Puree, Confit Chanterelle and Pickled Cipollini
• Leg Best in Show: Bastille Cafe & Bar for Chef Jason Stoneburner's Lamb Paillard with Gnocchi Torchon and Spiced Nantes Carrots

As the national partner for the 2012 Lamb Jam tour, a percentage of proceeds from Lamb Jam Seattle benefited Share Our Strength®, a nonprofit organization that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.  

Additional Lamb Jam Seattle sponsors included Seattle magazine, Starbucks Coffee, Click 98.9 and the Bell Harbor International Conference Center.

For more information about the American Lamb Board and to view winning recipes from the Seattle Lamb Jam, please visit www.FansoflambSeattle.com, like the American Lamb Board on Facebook or follow @FANofLAMB on Twitter.

About the American Lamb Board

The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the board's programs are supported and implemented by the staff in Denver, Colorado.

SOURCE American Lamb Board