The highly acclaimed contest held traditionally at the National Junior Angus Show will be replaced with a virtual format for 2020.

For the past 36 years, National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members and their families have gathered at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) to test their culinary skills on the product that drives many of their livelihoods, Certified Angus Beef ^® (CAB^®). Due to COVID-19, this year’s contest will look a little different as it takes on an alternative format. Members will have the opportunity to submit a video to participate in the Certified Angus Beef^® at Home Contest, designed to promote and share the CAB^®.  story with consumers.

Despite the change to a video format, the goal of this alternative contest remains the same: for participants to learn the importance of informing consumers about the nutritional benefits of beef and the Certified Angus Beef ^® brand. NJAA members and their families will develop a video featuring a beef recipe and consumer-focused content about the merits of CAB^®..

“Year after year, the Certified Angus Beef ^® Cook-Off and Chef’s Challenge is a contest the entire family can get excited about,” said Anne Lampe, American Angus Auxiliary Cook-Off co-chair. “Juniors and their families across the country still have the opportunity to bring the heat this year from their own kitchens and impress the judges with their knowledge about beef and its nutritional benefits.”

The contest requires that the video include a few components including partial preparation of the beef dish, educational information on CAB^® and the active participation of at least one NJAA member. The video can feature anything from a Pasture to Plate scenario to a mock TV-style cooking show. Members are encouraged to share a recipe they enjoy, whether it’s a beef comfort food, holiday recipe or the perfect meal for family supper.

The contest will have no age divisions, and NJAA members ages 8-21 are invited to participate either individually or with members of their own household. Videos can be shot at different times and edited prior to submission and are asked to fall between 10 and 15 minutes. Members will upload their video and a photo of their completed dish to be reviewed by the judges.

The required pre-entry deadline for juniors to enter in the Certified Angus Beef ^® at Home Contest is June 15. Videos should be submitted via the entry form by July 1, and winners winners will be announced as a part of the closing ceremonies for NJAS.

“Past participants have done an amazing job communicating the brand’s specifications,” said Marilyn Conley, Certified Angus Beefsupply development administrative assistant. “We challenge you to take it to the next level and explain to the judges why the specifications make the CAB^® brand better than ordinary beef.”

Interested in putting your skills in the kitchen to the test? Contest rules and guidelines can be found at angusauxiliary.com/. Participants are encouraged to review the new format guidelines in detail. For additional questions, please contact Anne Patton Schubert at 502-477-2663 or Anne Lampe at alampe@wbsnet.org or 620-874-4273. To find out information about the NJAA and NJAS, visit www.angus.org/njaa.

American Angus Association news release