CONTACTS: 

Megan Severs, Ketchum   312-228-6824       megan.severs@ketchum.com

Sherry Hill, ANCW               303-850-3441       shill@beef.org           

26^th NATIONAL BEEF COOK-OFF^® COMES TO RAPID CITY

Twenty Beef Recipes Chosen to Compete for $50,000 Grand Prize

DENVER (August 9, 2005) – Twenty of America’s top amateur cooks will head to Rapid City, South Dakota, in September 2005 to compete for the $50,000 “Best of Beef” grand prize in the 2005 National Beef Cook-Off^®. The national finalists, selected from thousands of entries nationwide, will prepare their beef recipes on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 at the Rapid City Best Western Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center for a distinguished panel of judges, including prominent food editors.

For nearly three decades, the Cook-Off has been America’s premier amateur beef-cooking contest. 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 or a grill, or 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.

“We’ve searched the country to find the best beef recipes,” says Sherry Hill, Cook-Off Project Manager for the American National CattleWomen. “The finalists’ recipes really showcase the passion Americans have for beef as an all-American meal staple.”

About the National Beef Cook-Off^®

The National Beef Cook-Off^® is a biennial contest created in 1974 by the American National CattleWomen, Inc. and the National Cattlemen’s Association. It is now administered by ANCW on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board and State Beef Councils.  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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2005 National Beef Cook-Off^® Finalists