On April 1st, 2022, the New York Beef Council (NYBC), funded by the Beef Checkoff and in partnership with the Iowa Beef Council, hosted six social influencers for a Meat Grinding 101 event at NY Kitchen in Canandaigua, NY. Chef Patrick Rae, chef instructor at the Fingers Lake Community College in Canandaigua, lead the group in this hands-on grinding event. Participants were given instruction and feedback from Chef Patrick as they explored options for how to grind chuck, brisket, and short ribs together for the ideal beef blend for burgers. Influencers also learned how to grind beef sausage and utilize the seven different flavor sausage seasoning mixes found on Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.   

 The NYBC’s goal is to serve as the premier source of beef information to the influencers in our region. Events such as this allow the Beef Checkoff to engage directly with influencers and bloggers to highlight beef’s versatility, quality, and taste. One attendee reflected upon the event by saying, “This experience expanded my knowledge on beef and raising cattle. I knew very little beforehand. I honestly never gave much thought to where the beef is coming from, and it was reassuring to learn that a majority of beef consumed in the U.S. comes from the U.S. While I have always been somewhat educated on the nutritional benefits of beef (and have never thought of it as unhealthy in and of itself), the educational materials gave me useful language and reminded me of certain nutritional facts that will be useful for me when discussing beef with my peers”.   

 Make sure to follow NYBC on Facebook and Instagram where the content created from this fun event will be highlighted. Any consumers who are interested in grinding beef at home should visit: https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/cooking/ground-beef where “Everything to know about Ground Beef” can be found. The site includes great ground beef recipes, cooking suggestions, ground beef safety information, and a deep dive into understating beef grind ratios.   

 This educational event was made possible through the NYBC’s continued partnership with the Iowa Beef Council. The New York Beef Council, funded by the Beef Checkoff, is responsible for education outreach and promotion efforts on behalf of beef and dairy farmers. NYBC continuously works toward the mission of enhancing the lives of consumers by connecting them with beef and the beef community.