As Americans' Love Affair with Beef Tallow Fries Grows, Coast Packing's 8th Annual #BeefTallowFrenchFries Contest Awards Winners Nationwide

VERNON, Calif., Sept. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crispier, tastier, and richer in flavor, the love for beef tallow fries is stronger than ever. Now in its eighth year, Coast Packing's Annual #BeefTallowFrenchFries Contest honors four fry enthusiasts whose creativity, humor, and passion for beef tallow wowed the judges.

The contest launched alongside #NationalBeefTallowDay and #NationalFrenchFryDay. Participants entered by posting enticing photos of beef tallow fries made at home or enjoyed at a favorite restaurant, tagging @CoastPackingCo, and using the hashtag #BeefTallowFrenchFries. Winners were selected for originality, presentation, and storytelling.

"This year's contest reflects a nationwide surge in consumer interest and restaurant adoption of beef tallow for crispier, tastier French fries," said Greg Hozinsky, corporate chef and R&D, Coast Packing Company. "With an uptick in contest submissions over previous years, we saw entries from Oahu, Hawaii, and across the mainland from Los Angeles to Connecticut. Beef tallow is quickly becoming the cooking fat of choice for the best fries."

This year's winners and prizes:

• First Place: Emily Pecoraro (Albuquerque, NM) submitted beef tallow fries from Buffalo Wild Wings, describing the fries with a haiku:
  
  Golden crisp delight,
  Beef tallow's rich, savory kiss—
  Fries born to impress.
  
  "I love beef tallow fries because they're crispy, golden perfection with a rich flavor you just can't get from any other oil. Winning means sharing that unbeatable taste with friends and knowing I've earned the ultimate fry lover's bragging rights." 
  
  Prize: Ultimate Backyard Fry Setup

• Second Place: Shelly Ketcherside (St. Genevieve, MO) submitted beef tallow shoestring fries from Steak 'n Shake.
  
  "I love the rich, savory flavor of beef tallow French fries, and the texture is on point. Winning, to me, means we're all winning with better-tasting food and a healthier lifestyle."
  
  Prize: A Year of Fries!
  
  
• Third Place: Lisa Pascuzzi (Tolland, CT) submitted beef tallow fries from Jefferson Fry Co.
  
  "I eat to fuel my workouts, and beef tallow fries are my favorite — natural, clean, and delicious. Winning the All-Clad fryer and accessories means I can enjoy making fresh fries at home while experimenting with different seasonings. I'm truly grateful and so excited for the opportunity!"
  
  Prize: Fry Master Kit
  
  
• Fourth Place: Shelia Lewis (Vinemont, AL) submitted her homemade beef tallow French fries.
  
  "Since finding beef tallow for my family's meals, we've started eating some vegetables that we hadn't had in years! Our favorites are French fries, okra, and squash—so good, especially fresh from our garden!"
  
  Prize: Deep Fryer Cookie Gift Basket

As one of the nation's leading suppliers of animal fat shortenings, Coast Packing has seen remarkable growth in the popularity of beef tallow over the past year. In 2025, consumer awareness of beef tallow reached an all-time high, fueled by social media buzz, health-conscious cooking trends, and a revival of traditional fats in professional kitchens. Coast's TasteMap™ now highlights more restaurants than ever serving beef tallow fries and other menu items—a clear sign that the once-niche ingredient is going mainstream.

"Our heartfelt congratulations to our 2025 winners for pushing the boundaries of what a French fry can be," said Coast Corporate Chef Greg Hozinsky. "The growth we've seen in beef tallow's popularity is exciting. More home cooks and restaurants are rediscovering its unmatched ability to deliver fries with perfect crispness, depth of flavor, and that nostalgic taste people can't get enough of. This year's entries prove that beef tallow fries aren't just a trend – they're a movement."

About Coast Packing Company
Now marking its 103rd year in business, Coast Packing Company (www.coastpacking.com) is the number one supplier of animal fat shortenings—particularly lard and beef tallow—in the Western United States. The company serves major manufacturers, CPG companies, QSR and fast-food restaurant chains, broadline food service distributors, retailers, smaller food service operations, and leading bakeries. Coast's interactive TasteMap™ is the definitive online guide to restaurants offering dishes prepared with lard and beef tallow, pinpointing more than 1,500 establishments nationwide. Coast is a founding member of the Healthy Fats Coalition.

SOURCE Coast Packing Company