Boston/New England Lamb Jam 2015

Do you love lamb? Would you like the opportunity to taste numerous lamb dishes? Then maybe you should attend the New England Lamb Jam.

On Sunday, April 12, twenty New England chefs and over 800 lamb lovers will gather at The Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge to kick off the 6th Annual Boston/New England Lamb Jam Global Flavors Tour, the annual multi-city culinary cook-off where attendees decide which chefs have earned their “chops” by voting on inspirational American lamb dishes.

Competing for the titles of “Best in Show,” “People’s Choice” and “Best Mediterranean, Asian, Latin and Middle Eastern inspired dishes,” New England chefs will prepare and serve their most flavorful American lamb dish to be put to the test by lamb-loving attendees and New England’s top food media. The victor will go head-to-head with other winning chefs from Seattle, Austin, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Lamb Jambs in an attempt to claim the title of “Lamb Jam Master” at the Lamb Jam finale in New York City later this year.

“We designed the Lamb Jam Tour as a way to bring communities together and drive awareness about the benefits of American lamb,” says Megan Wortman, executive director of the American Lamb Board. “Approximately one third of consumers have never eaten lamb, and many try lamb for the first time in a restaurant, so it’s exciting to see so many local Boston chefs incorporating innovative lamb dishes to their menus.”

General Admission tickets are $60 and provide an opportunity to sample 20 globally inspired lamb dishes, taste brew from 12 local breweries, and mingle with local shepherds and artisans and vote for the best Lamb Jam dishes.

You can also opt for the VIP treatment. Chefs Jamie Bissonnette of Toro & Coppa and Matt Jennings of Townsman will be conducting a spring training centered on grilling in a seminar style VIP hour. Each dish will be served with a craft cocktail, beer or wine paired by a local beverage expert. Participants will also experience a pasture to plate demonstration by a master butcher and local lamb producer. VIP tickets are $100 and include admission to the rest of the Lamb Jam festivities.

Visit www.americanlamb.com for the complete lineup and to purchase general admission tickets.

When: Sunday, April 12
1:45 – 3:00pm (VIP)
3:00 – 6:00pm (General Admission)

Participating New England chefs include:
Boston:
Brian Alberg of The Red Lion Inn
Brian Dandro of Art Bar
Robert Siscan of Bistro du Midi
Michael Sherman of Brasserie 28
Justin Melnick of The Terrace
Daniel Bojorquez of La Brasa
Tiffani Faison and Dan Raia of Sweet Cheeks Q
Chris Douglass of Ashmont Grill
Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table
Jim Solomon of The Fireplace
Justin Shoults of BRINE
Thomas Borgia of Russell House
Providence:
Nemo Bolin of Cook & Brown Public House
Ben Lloyd of The Salted Slate
Matt Varga of Gracie’s
Portsmouth:
Matt Louis of Moxy
Gregg Sessler of Cava
Portland:
Niko Regas of Emilitsa
Chris Gould of Central Provisions
Damian and Ilma Lopez of Piccolo

Organized by the American Lamb Board, a portion of the proceeds will go to Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a Boston based organization dedicated to facilitating the rescue and distribution of healthy, fresh food that would otherwise be discarded.

I'll be judging at this year's Lamb Jam so I am very excited, to get to sample 20 different lamb dishes from a talented pool of chefs. I hope to see you there.