DENVER — On Monday, May 19th, twenty-one of the DC area's top chefs and more than 500 lamb-loving attendees will gather for the Washington, DC Lamb Jam, a national culinary cook-off where lamb fans will decide which chefs have earned their "chops" based on inventive American lamb dishes. Categories include: "Best in Show," "People's Choice" and "Best Leg, Breast, Shank and Shoulder," and dishes will be voted on by attendees and media judges.
The event, held at the North Hall at Eastern Market, 225 7th St. SE, opens with a VIP event, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring two previous DC Lamb Jam champions – Chef John Critchley of Bourbon Steak and Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley of Ripple – going head-to-head in a "secret ingredient challenge" featuring a surprise cut of American lamb. Tickets for the VIP hour are $90 and include exclusive cocktails and special lamb treats.
For the $60 general admission, running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., attendees will be able to sample more than 20 lamb dishes, microbrews and wine while mingling with local shepherds, watching butchery demos and visiting the do-it-yourself-spice-rub station. Visit http://dc.fansoflamb.com for tickets and more event details.
Participating chefs include: Dimitri Moshovitis, Cava Mezze; RJ Scruggs, Occidental Grill & Seafood; Erik Bruner, Toki Underground; Michael Costa, Zaytinya; Anthony Lombardo, 1789; Aaron McCloud, Cedar; Billy McCormick, Virtue Feed & Grain; and many more. A comprehensive list can be found here: http://dc.fansoflamb.com. The Washington, DC victor will go head-to-head with other cities' Lamb Jam winners for the title of Lamb Jam Master at the Savor the Central Coast food and wine festival in California in September.
The Lamb Jam, organized by the American Lamb Board, is a fundraiser for d.c. Central Kitchen, a leader in reducing hunger with recycled food, training unemployed adults for culinary careers, serving healthy school meals, and rebuilding urban food systems. For more information visit www.americanlamb.com, Like the American Lamb Board on Facebook or follow @FANofLAMB on Twitter.
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.
Source: American Lamb Board