Certified Angus Beef Brand Honors Restaurateur Stars

Restaurateurs and foodservice distributors were recognized by the Certified Angus Beef brand for their leadership in product quality and marketing at the group’s annual conference in Nashville on Sept. 27-29. Brand partners, including meat processors, distributors, chefs, retailers and cattle ranchers, gained strategies to nurture their focus on delivering premium beef to consumers.

“Quality and integrity unite their focus on delivering the finest beef,” says John Stika, the beef brand’s president. “They are stars in their markets for bringing the Certified Angus Beef brand’s ranching heritage and focus on quality and integrity to their customers, and ultimately, consumers.”

Chef Brett Sawyer from The Plum, Cleveland, was recognized as the brand’s Culinary Innovator. Sawyer has highlighted the beef navel in various iterations on his menu since opening, with each drawing rave reviews from his ever-growing clientele.

“It’s like a really gristly steak—but in a good way,” says Sawyer, who describes the uncommonly menued cut as part steak and part brisket. (Video available.)

Black’s Barbecue, Lockhart and Austin, Texas, received the Legendary Establishment in Barbecue award. At the oldest barbecue joint in Texas and family-owned since 1932, the Blacks have been committed to using the Certified Angus Beef brand in their smokers for more than two decades. The third- and fourth-generation operators work tirelessly to strengthen the family business and uphold its traditions of the past 85 years.

40 Steak + Seafood and Peacock Alley, Bismarck, N.D., were honored as Steakhouse of the Year. The only restaurant in the state equipped to dry-age steaks in-house, 40 Steak is a meat lovers’ paradise. The restaurant was created after launching Peacock Alley, where Certified Angus Beef brand steaks are also offered. Owner Dale Zimmerman says 40 Steak was designed to bring the finest steaks in the country and a premier dining experience to North Dakota. (Video available.)

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes, Plano, Texas, was honored for Excellence in Marketing. MOOYAH, which started in 2007, renewed its commitment to quality by introducing Certified Angus Beef  brand burgers just over a year ago. The 100-location chain launched the burgers across its social media channels and kept in-store signage and advertising campaigns fresh year-round.

Royal Host, Tokyo, was awarded for Excellence in Marketing among chain restaurants internationally. Royal Host offers American-raised Certified Angus Beef  brand cuts across all its family restaurants while actively promoting its beef in various media and in-store signage.

I’m Angus Steakhouse, Manila, Philippines, was awarded for Excellence in Marketing among independent restaurants internationally. The restaurant launched an extensive marketing campaign and customer loyalty program focused on print advertising, holiday contests and customer emails.