West Coast Chef Named Lamb Jam Master in National Cooking Competition

American Lamb Board Partners with Share Our Strength to Crown 2011 Lambassador

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2011  On September 25, the American Lamb Board, in partnership with Share Our Strength®, brought four culinary kings and their winning dishes from four U.S. cities to New York City for the ultimate baaa-ttle.  Hosted by Food Network personality Amanda Freitag, Adam Mali of MarketBar in San Francisco, CA, was crowned the 2011 "Lamb Jam Master" by a panel of esteemed media judges for his Braised Lamb Shank with Lemon Stewed Cannellini Beans and Lavender-Mint Gremolata. More than 200 fans of lamb named Mark Bodinet of Copperleaf Restaurant in Seattle the "People's Choice" for his Grilled Lamb Shoulder Confit with Creamy Parsnips and Preserved Huckleberries.
 
"From San Francisco to New York, Chef Mali's dish took home top honors and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Lamb Jam Hall of Fame," said Megan Wortman, Executive Director of the American Lamb Board.

Fans of lamb wolfed down competing dishes from Jason Santos (Boston), John Critchley (Washington DC) and lambtastic tastes from local lamb lovers at The Meatball Shop, Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, Dickson's Farmstand Meats and Old Chatham Sheepherding Company.

Local beer and wine from Foggy Ridge Cider, Harpoon, Paso Robles and Washington Wines were paired with competing dishes as attendees savored sips of Jefferson's Bourbon, a "ridiculously small batch" bourbon from Louisville.  A local artist got the baaa-ty started with pasture caricatures of guests and their flocks before lamb lovers counted sheep and created their own spice rubs.

As the national partner for the 2012 Lamb Jam tour, a percentage of proceeds from Lamb Jam Masters will benefit Share Our Strength®, a nonprofit organization that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives.