DENVER – This year the American Lamb Board is conducting its first Shepherd to Chef campaign and a national Lamb Jam tour, connecting consumers with lamb from throughout the United States. The American Lamb Board is featuring American Lamb recipes, videos and profiles about each lambassador, highlighting local lamb producers and renowned chefs in Boston, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC, onwww.AmericanLamb.com.

Shepherds and chefs will host Lamb Jam tasting events in their local markets, where consumers can enjoy some of the country's chefs preparing fresh American lamb dishes.


The Shepherd to Chef program reflects the diversity of domestic lamb production and follows the path from the land to the kitchen. Featured shepherds and chefs are: Boston, Mass., Chef Michael Scelfo, Russell House Tavern , Shepherd Lisa Dachinger, River Valley Farm; Washington, DC, Chef Nick Stefanelli, Bibiana, Shepherd Craig Rogers, Border Springs Farms; San Francisco, Calif., Chef Matt Accarrino, SPQR, Shepherd Don Watson, Napa Valley Lamb; and Seattle, Wash., Chef Liam Spence, LOLA, and Shepherd Reed Anderson, Anderson Ranches.

Consumers can also sample delicious lamb dishes at Lamb Jam tasting events held in Boston, Washington DC, San Francisco and Seattle, as well as the first national competition among the best in the country in New York City. In each market, Lamb Jam will feature 20 chefs who compete for top honors as they create s dishes using local lamb and match their dishes with local wine and beer.

In New York City, the winners from each market will cook for the title of Lamb Jam Master. 2011 tour dates are: Boston, Mass. – Feb. 20,www.fansoflambboston.com; Washington, DC – May 22,www.fansoflambdc.com; San Francisco, Calif. – July 17,www.fansoflambsanfrancisco.com; Seattle, Wash. – Oct. 23,www.fansoflambseattle.com; and New York City – Sept. 25,www.americanlamb.com.

To view the Shepherd to Chef video series, brochure, recipes or profiles, please visitwww.AmericanLamb.com. The American Lamb Board is an industry-funded research and promotions commodity board that represents all sectors of the American Lamb industry including producers, feeders, seed stock producers and processors. The Board, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, is focused on increasing demand by promoting the freshness, flavor, nutritional benefits, and culinary versatility of American Lamb. The work of the American Lamb Board is overseen by the US Department of Agriculture and the board's programs are supported and implemented by the staff in Denver, Colo.