October 31, 2017 – Des Moines, IA – Earlier this month, the Iowa Restaurant Association, along with The Soyfoods Council and the Iowa Beef Industry Council, set a new standard for unique proteins on a plate. The Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2017 Culinary Competition challenged top chefs across Iowa to create an entrée featuring beef flank steak and a soy based side dish or sauce. The two unexpected Iowa products combined to create an exemplary event which showcased the versatility of both beef and soy in a wide variety of dishes. “These award-winning creations span ethnic, fine dining, and casual palates,” said Linda Funk, Executive Director of The Soyfoods Council. “This speaks highly to not only the creativity and professionalism of the chefs, but the adaptability of the products to any style of cuisine.” Results and Winning Dishes 1st Place – Chef Jason Culbertson, The Hotel Julien, Dubuque Recipe: Korean BBQ Beef Flank Steak with Soy Mushrooms Over Miso Ginger Butternut Squash 2nd Place – Chef Wallace Franklin Jr., The Whiskey House & Bourbon Grill, Ankeny Recipe: Beef Flank Steak Tartare with Smoked Tofu Foam People’s Choice – Chef Oscar Hernandez, 712 Eat + Drink, Council Bluffs Recipe: Beef Flank Steak and Frites with a Chili Tofu Mayo Event Recap The chefs first presented their dishes to a team of judges who traveled to each competitors’ restaurant to taste and score their creations. Judges included Chef Robert Anderson CEC-CCE, Executive Chef and Program Chair at the Iowa Culinary Institute, Des Moines Foodster Blogger Nick Lucs, and representatives from event sponsors The Soyfoods Council and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. The chefs then prepared sample-sized portions of their dish for nearly 300 attendees at a People’s Choice event held at The Atrium at Capital Square in Des Moines on Oct. 5. Awards and cash prizes were given to the winner, runner-up, and People’s Choice winner.

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About The Soyfoods Council The Soyfoods Council is a non-profit organization, created and funded by Iowa soybean farmers, providing a complete resource to increase awareness of soyfoods, educate and inform media, healthcare professionals, consumers and the retail and foodservice market about the many benefits of soyfoods. Iowa is the country’s number one grower of soybeans and is the Soyfoods Capital of the world. www.thesoyfoodscouncil.com About the Iowa Beef Industry Council The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State Beef Checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit www.iabeef.org. About the Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s industry with educational and promotional programs across the state. www.restraurantiowa.com Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454