Texan Wins $50,000 “Best of Beef” In National Beef Cook-Off® in Rapid City

PIERRE—(September 23, 2005)  A Katy, Texas home cook left the state of  South Dakota $50,000 richer after taking the “Best of Beef” prize at the National Beef Cook-Off September 21 in Rapid City.

            Linda Morten’s winning recipe—Blazin’ Colorado Steaks—reflects the trend toward unique, non-traditional flavor pairings using fiery ingredients such as green chiles and chipotie peppers combined with tangy lime. From Mexican and Latin to Mediterranean and Thai – the Cook-Off is a barometer of the year’s top food trends.  In addition, Morten used flat iron steaks in her recipe, which continue to be in demand with consumers today.

            “It’s blazin’,” said Morten, describing her entrée, one of 20 competing for $110,000 in total cash prizes during the three-day event. The finalists had survived the tough selection process out of the 2,300-plus recipes submitted earlier this year to compete in the premier cooking contest.

South Dakota was selected as the host state for this year’s 26^th Cook-Off, now held every two years in cities across the country. The event is primarily funded by American Beef Producers through their $1-per-head checkoff program.

“This event is an excellent example of our checkoff dollars in action,” says Nancy Montross, DeSmet beef producer and president of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC). Montross, one of several South Dakota volunteers working at the Cook-Off, helped in the actual cooking area and could watch the cooks in action.

“These amateur cooks bring out the excitement, creativity and convenience of cooking with beef,” she says. “We will be utilizing these recipes to promote beef on a state and national level until the next Cook-Off in 2007 and beyond.”

The 2005 Cook-Off focused on the passion Americans exhibit for beef and the special times they share when families enjoy beef together. Categories were: Market Basket, Grilled Beef, Family Favorites and “Inspired By” Beef Recipes.

A panel of five distinguished judges rated each recipe based on taste, ease of preparation and appearance. Along with the food editor from Reiman Publications (Taste of Home), the deputy editor for food and entertaining for Meredith Corp. (Better Homes and Gardens), and the cowgirl chef for Heart & Hind Fitness Ranch in Rio Frio, Texas, the panel of judges included two South Dakota food experts: Jarett Bies, food reporter and dining critic for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and Mary Garrigan, food editor at the Rapid City Journal.

In addition to the “Best of Beef” grand prize, the Cook-Off also honored category winners and category runners-ups. This year’s winners are:

  Market Basket

• $10,000 Category Winner: Sharyn Hill , New Mexico , Pan-Seared Steaks with Romesco Sauce.
• $5,000 Runner Up: Patricia Schroedle , Wisconsin , Blackstrap Steaks with Caramelized Onions

Grilled Beef

• $10,000 Category Winner: Renee Pokorny, California , Grilled Espresso Steaks
• $5,000 Runner-Up: Erin Renouf Mylroie , Utah , Carnitas-Style Grilled Beef Tacos

Family Favorites

• $10,000 Category Winner: Candace McMenamin , South Carolina , Wild West Beef & Smoked Gouda Grits
• $5,000 Runner Up: Carolyn Collins, Texas , Smoky Beef Enchilada Skillet

“Inspired By” Beef Recipes

• $10,000 Category Winner: Veronica Callaghan , Connecticut , Steaks with Mushrooms, Blue Cheese & Frizzled Shallots
• $5,000 Runner Up: Jamie Miller, Minnesota , Porcini-Dusted Steak with Horseradish Crust

Photos and recipes of the winning contestants are available by going to www.beefcookoff.org.

The contest is administered by the American CattleWomen, Inc. (ANCW) on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board and State Beef Councils. A South Dakota Host State Steering Committee, comprised of South Dakota CattleWomen and South Dakota Cattlemen’s Auxiliary members, worked for the past two years in conjunction with ANCW volunteers and staff to organize the three-day Cook-Off which included a Welcome Event at Mount Rushmore and an Industry Event at the Snyder Ranch near Sturgis.

The South Dakota Beef Industry Council, which collects the $1-per-head checkoff in South Dakota, is comprised of representatives from eight agricultural organizations: SD Beef Breeds Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Cattlemen’s Auxiliary, SD CattleWomen, SD Farm Bureau, SD Farmers Union, SD Livestock Marketing Association, and SD Stockgrowers Association.