Lamb Loving Chefs Descend on NYC to Compete for National Title

NEW YORK, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 25, the American Lamb Board, in partnership with Share Our Strength®, will bring four culinary kings and their winning dishes from four U.S. cities to New York for the ultimate baaa-ttle.  Hosted by Chef and Food Network personality Amanda Freitag, Lamb Jam Masters will offer lambtastic tastes with local beer and wine pairings from Foggy Ridge Cider, Harpoon, Paso Robles and Washington Wines.  Competing chefs will include:

• Chef Mark Bodinet, Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook Lodge (Seattle, WA)
  Grilled Lamb Shoulder Confit with Creamy Parsnips and Preserved Huckleberries
• Chef Jason Santos, Gargoyles on the Square (Boston, MA)
  Poached Lamb Loin with Black Truffle, Cauliflower Espuma, Bee Pollen and Fried Garlic
• Chef Adam Mali, MarketBar (San Francisco, CA)
  Braised Lamb Shank, Lemon Stewed Cannelini Beans, Lavender-Mint Gremolata
• Chef John Critchley, Urbana (Washington, DC)
  Slow-cooked Lamb Leg with Preserved Lemon, Dried Herbs and Flowers, Rosemary Scented Gypsy Peppers and Cipolini Onion

In addition to the competition, local meatball master Chef Daniel Holzman of The Meatball Shop will offer Mediterranean Lamb Meatballs with Basil Pesto over a Local Corn and Tomato Salad and Pera Mediterranean Brasserie will serve American Lamb Tacos.  Dickson's Farmstand Meats will serve a selection of American Lamb charcuterie and offer a lamb butchery demonstration.  Fans of lamb can savor sips of Jefferson's Bourbon, a "ridiculously small batch" bourbon from Louisville, KY, as they steal stellar lamb swag, jam out to live music by Citigrass and take home sheep cake pops from Little Cakes NYC.  

As the national non-profit partner for the 2012 Lamb Jam Tour, a percentage of proceeds from the 2011 Lamb Jam Masters will benefit Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.  

Tickets are $50 each, include all food and beverages and can be purchased here: www.fansoflamb.com.  For more information, visit www.AmericanLamb.com.

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.

About Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.  Through its No Kid Hungry® Campaign - a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015 - Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs; invests in community organizations fighting hunger; teaches families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and builds public-private partnerships to end childhood hunger, at the state and city level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved.

For more information about the American Lamb Board, please contact Chloe Mata Crane ([email protected]) or Marliese Engel Traver ([email protected]) at Baltz & Company -- 212-982-8300

SOURCE American Lamb Board