Florida Beef Council Brings the Ranch to NYC at Wine & Food Festival
The Florida Beef Council recently helped spread the message of beef far beyond state lines, joining forces with the New York Beef Council and the National Veal Checkoff at the prestigious New York Wine and Food Festival. We caught up with Deanne Maples of the Florida Beef Council to learn more about the event and how the beef industry was represented on one of the country’s most celebrated culinary stages.
“We just wrapped up an incredible week in New York City at the Wine and Food Festival. The Florida Beef Council partnered with the New York Beef Council and the National Veal Checkoff to bring elevated beef and veal dishes to one of the most celebrated culinary stages in the country.”
Throughout the week, the councils participated in three major events, offering festivalgoers a unique and flavorful look at beef’s versatility. “Over the course of the week we participated in three major events serving Asian style beef tomahawks at the Asian night market, a flavor for mole at the tacos and tequila event which featured a cut that we don’t always talk about very often and that beef cheeks and a veal roulade at Sunday’s foodie con,” Maples said.
The chefs behind the dishes—Rick Neal, Robert Hale, and Morris Salerno—brought innovation and flair to the festival. “Their creativity and their passion and their desire to do something great on behalf of beef farmers and ranchers. It really showcased the versatility and the elegance of beef and veal.”
Florida was well represented, with Florida Beef Council Chairman Rick Hartman, Florida Cattlewomen’s President Lucy Bowers, and Florida Beef Council Board Member Kylie Phillips in attendance.
Festival attendees were eager to connect. “The attendees were thrilled to meet real ranchers. They’re not always exposed to that in New York City and so they were asking very genuine questions about how cattle are raised and animal care and what’s our role in sustainability,” Maples explained.
She added, “I think you know events like this they remind us that beef story is best told through engagement and connection and we brought the ranch to the city.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.