International Chefs Learn from Nebraska Extension

July 8, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. — Bethany Johnston was admittedly nervous at the thought of cooking steaks for chefs from five-star restaurants.

“It is like playing basketball one-on-one with LeBron James,” she said.

The Nebraska Beef Council (NBC) recently contacted the Nebraska Extension educator and asked her do a chuck roll cutting demonstration for 9 chefs from Jordan and then cook steaks.

The chefs came to Nebraska with Palmetto Foods of Atlanta, Ga., who is the exporter of their beef. During their week-long visit the chefs toured a packing plant, cow-calf operation, feedlot and sale barn along with Raising Nebraska in Grand Island where Johnston helped them learn more about beef value cuts.

“The chefs buy chuck rolls and shoulder clods and grind them into hamburger,” said Johnston. “Getting steaks or roasts would add value to their menus, and put money in their pocket.”

Nebraska Extension educator Jay Jenkins assisted Johnston with the cutting demonstration and provided the chefs with background about beef in Nebraska. Following the cutting demonstration the chefs had the opportunity to grill the different steaks in the Raising Nebraska kitchen. In Jordan, the chefs like to cook their steak well done, so Johnston and Jenkins were able to show them ways to keep it tender and reduce the pink center.

The Nebraska Beef Council’s mission is to strengthen the demand for beef in the global marketplace. NBC receives its funding from the checkoff dollars of Nebraska's beef producers. Those dollars are invested in research, promotion, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communication, all with the purpose of strengthening demand for beef and veal in both domestic and foreign markets.

Raising Nebraska is a joint effort of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair. The 25,000 square foot exhibit is designed to help visitors better understand and appreciate the advancements, impact and global leadership of Nebraska agriculture.