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Maple grove, minnesota RESIDENT NAMED National FINALIST in 26th National Beef Cook-Off® Jamie Miller Among 20 Finalists Competing for $50,000 Grand Prize
Minneapolis, MN (August 11, 2005) – Jamie Miller, a resident of Maple Grove, has been named one of 20 national finalists who will compete for the $50,000 “Best of Beef” grand prize in the National Beef Cook-Off®.
For nearly three decades, the Cook-Off has been America’s premier amateur beef-cooking contest. The search for the “Best of Beef” grand prize will culminate at the Cook-Off in Rapid City, South Dakota on Wednesday, September 21, 2005. Finalists will compete for the grand prize and eight other cash prizes – with a total of more than $100,000 up for grabs.
The Cook-Off comes as Americans’ appetite for beef continues to climb. It encourages entrants to share a recipe that incorporates their favorite way of preparing beef – whether it’s with chuck and round cuts of beef, with stovetop skillet or a grill, or using frozen, fully cooked beef products. Each finalist receives an all-expense-paid trip to the competition where they will cook up their beef recipe for a panel of judges. Judging will be based on taste, ease of preparation and appearance.
In addition to the $50,000 “Best of Beef” Grand Prize, eight cash prizes totaling $60,000 will be awarded in four categories: Beef Market Basket, Grilled Beef, Family Favorites and “Inspired By” Beef Recipes.
Miller joins a select group of amateur cooks whose winning easy beef recipes were selected for the Cook-Off competition from thousands of contestants who submitted recipes via www.beefcookoff.org and by mail. Miller’s recipe of Porcini-Dusted Steaks with Horseradish Crust was a top pick in the “Inspired By” Beef category.
About the inspiration for her recipe, Miller says, “This recipe was inspired by a recipe in the Tyler Florence Real Kitchen book. I’ve been entering contests for six or seven years, so adapting this recipe for the Cook-Off by adding in some more texture and flavor was simple.”
“We’ve searched the country to find the best beef recipes,” says Michelle Torno, Minnesota Beef Council. “The finalists’ recipes really showcase the great taste, convenience and versatility of cooking with beef.” The National Beef Cook-Off® is a biennial contest created in 1974 by the American National CattleWomen, Inc. and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board and the Minnesota Beef Council. The Cook-Off is sponsored by America’s Beef Producers, through their $1-per-head checkoff in partnership with Albertsons®. The contest was held annually until 1993, when it switched to a biennial basis.
During its 26-year tenure, the Cook-Off has received accolades and the support of many notable culinary experts. American cooking icons Julia Child and James Beard were early supporters, serving as judges on numerous occasions.
This year the Cook-Off is focusing on the passion Americans have for beef and the special times they share when families enjoy beef dishes together. To underscore the connection beef has with families, the Cook-Off has introduced a “Family Favorites” category this year, which showcases original beef recipes that families enjoy eating during the week or for a special occasion.
To learn more about preparing beef, past winning recipes, and the Cook-Off, visit www.beefcookoff.org.
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