Manhattan’s culinary elite were introduced to the industry’s most talked about premier all natural beef, Certified Piedmontese Beef by Montana Ranch Brand, at the world famous restaurant, BLT Prime.

New York, NY. June 09, 2010 – New York City is considered by most to be the heart and soul of fine dining in North America, if not the world, with more restaurants and celebrity chefs than any other place on earth. In this highly competitive environment, the greatest chefs and restaurateurs have to pay close attention to industry trends and the discriminating demands of their clientele. With a more educated consumer, due in part by media attention and movies like Food Inc., there has been a growing trend in the food service industry to feature healthier all natural ingredients. Since our nation was being formed, Manhattan has been home to the greatest restaurants and steakhouses, known for serving only the best, full flavored, most tender steaks you can get. Finding the highest quality all natural ingredients that can still perform to the demanding pallet of their customers is the challenge facing top chefs and restaurateurs today. One key ingredient that has been finding its way onto menus and receiving a lot of industry attention is Certified Piedmontese Beef. This elite Italian breed of cattle is known for producing the most tender beef with less fat and cholesterol then other breeds.

While Broadway was all a buzz with the greatest stage performers in the country, just down the street the greatest chefs representing the finest restaurants in Manhattan were gathering at BLT Prime for an incredible Chefs Dinner hosted by Fossil Farms & Arctic Foods. Stars of Bravo’s Top Chef as well as celebrated chefs and professionals from Momofuku, Mesa Grill, Craft Group, Per Se and many more were treated to seven amazing courses that featured Certified Piedmontese Beef by Montana Ranch Brand paired beautifully with wines that were provided by T Edward Wines of New York. Chef de Cuisine Chris Leahy of BLT Prime and his staff took great care in masterfully preparing the culinary works of art that ranged from Piedmontese Beef Carpaccio with truffle vinaigrette to dry aged Piedmontese Rib Eye with morel mushrooms. Known as the “Master of Meat” for his ability to cure, age, and perfectly prepare amazing meats and ingredients to create his elegant dishes, Chef Leahy was on top of his game as the high profile guest were delighted with every course. Here is what the guest had to say about their favorite dishes of the evening: “The flat iron was outstanding, really something different and tender” Sam Gelman, Ma Peche, NYC; “The flavor of the strip loin was absolutely superb, clean and rich” Ross Melling Chef de Cuisine, Per Se, NYC; “The Piedmontese is always so much fun to work with, very simple flavors and let the beef speak for itself” Ryan Skeen, Five and Diamond, NYC.

Chef Leahy and the entire staff of BLT Prime did an outstanding job of introducing Piedmontese Beef to the culinary stars of New York and showcasing the attributes of this remarkable product. Those attending this event were amazed that a lean beef that is lower in fat and cholesterol could produce such exceptional tenderness, flavor and plate performance. Look for Piedmontese Beef to appear on the menus of many more of Manhattan’s finest restaurants as a result of this event.

CELEBRITY CHEFS & INDUSTRY PERSONALITIES

Harold Dieterle Ex. Chef Owner of Perilla (Season 1 winner of Top Chef)

Eli Kirskin Season 6 Top Chef

Stephen Aspirino Season 1 Top Chef

Ross Melling Chef de Cuisine, Per Se (Thomas Keller)

Ed Cotton Ex Chef, Plein Sud (This season 7 of Top Chef)

John Cahill Chef, BLT Steak NY

Jeff Girard Chef at Large

Peter Levesque Chef de Cuisine of Craft Steak, Foxwoods, CT

Najat Kaanache PerSe, French Laundry, Alinea

Sean Gray Chef de Cusine, Momofuko Ko

Julian Medina Ex. Chef, Yuerba Buena

Sam Gelman Ex Chef, Ma Peche

Ryan Skeen Ex. Chef The Five & Diamond

JC Pavlovich Chef de Cuisine of Mesa Grill

Roger Weiss 21 Club

Lance Appelbaum President & Owner – Fossil Farms Game & All Natural Meats

Eli Kaimeh Chef de Cuisine, Per Se

Ben Del Coro Corp Chef – Fossil Farms

Ralph Peterson CEO of Montana Ranch Brand

Mark Rossi President & Owner of Arctic Foods & Board member of MRB

James “Mack” Moran Sous Chef, Olives

Michael Suppa Chef, Plaza Food Ct by Todd English

Chris Lavey Exec Sous Chef, Craft

Eric Wolpin Riviera Produce

Roy Mahan Somellier, Oceana

Patrick McGlaughin Owner, Oceana

Julian Medina Chef/Partner, Yuerba Buena

Christopher Gilman Managing Partner, Yuerba Buena

Polo Dobkin Chef, Dressler, Du Mont

Paul Corsentino Chef, Dumont, Dressler

Peter Scerpico Chef de Cuisine, Momofuko Ko

Najat Kaanache Per Se, French Laundry, Alinea, E