Expanding the footprint of U.S. red meat in Russia

March 23, 2012

“The large attendance this year – estimated at 10,000 – could signal a positive change in the HRI (hotel, restaurant, institutional) sector, which was heavily affected by the financial crisis,” said Yuri Barutkin, St. Petersburg representative for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Barutkin noted that the financial downturn created a good opportunity for USMEF to successfully promote alternative cuts of U.S. beef, creating new interest among HRI distributors to invest in flank and skirt steaks as well as top sirloin. USMEF also is working to develop interest among Russian chefs in pork loins.

Both U.S. beef and pork received added visibility at ExpoHoreca through USMEF master classes that ran through all three days of the show. American beef striploin and beef ribs as well as pork loins were featured in dishes prepared by leading chefs from top hotels and top restaurants in St. Petersburg who demonstrated different preparation techniques for the participants.

“The master classes featuring U.S. pork and beef enabled us to reach a wide range of professionals and consumers with information about the quality attributes of U.S. red meat, which is so different from our competition,” said Barutkin. “And, as always, tasting the product spoke louder than a thousand words for consumers.”

Barutkin also noted that USMEF’s participation in this type of culinary competition is an investment in the future.

“Most of the participants are very young chefs,” Barutkin said. “They are right out of culinary school, so they are developing their skills and reputations, and this is the perfect time to educate them about working with the highest-quality ingredients, such as U.S. beef and pork.”

Support for USMEF’s participation in ExpoHoreca, the Baltic Culinary Cup and the master classes was provided through the USDA Market Access Program, the Beef Checkoff program and the Pork Checkoff program.

—U.S. Meat Export Federation press release

PHOTO
Two Russian chefs cooking with U.S. beef. Photo courtesy of U.S. Meat Export Federation.

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