Winners of 2020 Bama’s Best Beef Contest Announced

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle

best beef

The winners of the 2020 Bama’s Best Beef Contest have been announced. According to Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Director of Social Media and Communications, Kayla Greer, there are two winners this year.

Atmore Restaurant Named Home to 2020 Bama’s Best Beef

ATMORE, AL — Gather, a restaurant in Atmore, Ala. has been named the winner of the 2020 Bama’s Best Beef contest with its dish, the Train Wreck. The contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.

Train Wreck.

Twin filets of beef paired with Nueske’s bacon, fried green tomatoes, pimento grits, Conecuh crab sauce and a fried egg, this plate is one that one a contest judge said would be “hard to beat.” The dish is the brainchild of chef and owner, Chris McElhaney.

The Bama’s Best Beef contest began July 31 on the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page with a nominations round that earned over 5,000 nominations from restaurants across Alabama. The most-nominated dish from each of the contest’s eight regions moved on to compete in Facebook poll challenges that put competing regions head-to-head as more than 4,000 fans voted for their favorite restaurant’s plated meal.

Contest finalists were Bama Bucks (Sardis City) Trophy Mount Ribeye; Jeff’s Place (Roanoke) Ribeye Steak Sandwich; Diamond Jim’s & Mrs. Donna’s Family Steakhouse (Livingston) Famous Ribeye and Gather (Atmore) Train Wreck.

Finalist restaurants were then visited anonymously by a panel of industry judges who secretly taste tested the dishes throughout the month of September. Meanwhile, a People’s Choice contest went live on the ACA Facebook page.

While Gather took home the prize of judge’s pick, Bama Bucks in Sardis City, Ala claimed the “People’s Choice” title. Gather fell closely behind in the fan popularity contest with more than 1,600 votes.

“The Bama’s Best Beef contest is an engaging way to highlight Alabama restaurants who are serving up unique and delicious beef dishes,” Alabama Cattlemen’s Association President Larry Reeves said. “We appreciate all these restaurants for the passion they put into creating dishes that make enjoying beef a great experience for Alabama’s consumers.”

Gather’s owners, Chris and Beth McElhaney, will receive a plaque presentation and media conference from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, bragging rights for one year and an influx of customers looking to try Alabama’s best beef dish. The announcement of the winning dish comes as part of the celebration of October Beef Month in Alabama.

The Bama’s Best Beef contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Beef Checkoff. For questions regarding the contest or the winner, contact Kayla Greer at kgreer@bamabeef.org or (334) 265-1867. For quotes, contact Chef Chris McElhaney at (251) 359-6196 or by emailing gatherrestaurantatmore@gmail.com.

Sardis City Restaurant Wins “People’s Choice” Title in Bama’s Best Beef Contest

SARDIS CITY, AL— Bama Bucks, a family-owned restaurant in Sardis City, Ala. has been named the “People’s Choice” winner of the 2020 Bama’s Best Beef contest with its dish, the Trophy Mount Ribeye. The contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.

The Bama’s Best Beef contest began July 31 on the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page with a nominations round that earned over 5,000 nominations from restaurants across Alabama. The most-nominated dish from each of the contest’s eight regions moved on to compete in Facebook poll challenges that put competing regions head-to-head as more than 4,000 fans voted for their favorite restaurant’s plated meal.

Contest finalists were Bama Bucks (Sardis City) Trophy Mount Ribeye; Jeff’s Place (Roanoke) Ribeye Steak Sandwich; Diamond Jim’s & Mrs. Donna’s Family Steakhouse (Livingston) Famous Ribeye and Gather (Atmore) Train Wreck.

Finalist restaurants were then visited anonymously by a panel of industry judges who secretly taste tested the dishes throughout the month of September. Meanwhile, a People’s Choice contest went live on the ACA Facebook page.

Bama Bucks

Bama Bucks, owned by Sardis City native Terry Turk, claimed the “People’s Choice” title with over 2,100 votes throughout the month. Gather, a restaurant in Atmore, took home the title of Judge’s Pick with its dish, the Train Wreck.

“The Bama’s Best Beef contest is an engaging way to highlight Alabama restaurants who are serving up unique and delicious beef dishes,” Alabama Cattlemen’s Association President Larry Reeves said. “We appreciate all these restaurants for the passion they put into creating dishes that make enjoying beef a great experience for Alabama’s consumers.”

The team at Bama Bucks will receive a plaque presentation and visit by ACA staff and officers from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, bragging rights for one year and an influx of customers looking to try this beloved ribeye. The announcement of the winning dishes comes as part of the celebration of October Beef Month in Alabama.

The Bama’s Best Beef contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Beef Checkoff. For questions regarding the contest or its winners, contact Kayla Greer at kgreer@bamabeef.org or (334) 265-1867 or by contacting the restaurant.