MEAT eaters have ruled: The best steak in Australia comes from a Shorthorn.
At least that’s the consensus of diners who bit into the month long promotion of rib fillets at Brisbane’s popular Norman Hotel’s annual competition, which pits Shorthorn steaks against equally weighed cuts taken from the Brahman, Hereford and Santa Gertrudis breeds.
Executive chef Frank Correnti said the addition of the four breed specific steaks during October to the nine other steaks offered year-round by the Norman was another way of adding excitement to the meat eating experience.
“The competition is based strictly on popularity and this year the Shorthorn was the clear winner,” Mr Correnti said.
“We’re producing up to 3000 meals a week and 85 per cent are steak.
“The four breed promotion is certainly a great way of generating even more interest in red meat because it encourages diners to really focus on the steak they choose and its eating qualities.”
The win is seen as a significant boost for the Shorthorn breed which has developed the premium Thousand Guineas brand in partnership with JBS.
Shorthorn Society general manager Graham Winnell said the restaurant exclusive brand was enabling consumers to identify with Shorthorn beef.
“Shorthorn is a foundation breed of the Australian beef industry and has had an incredible influence over a very large percentage of the entire herd,” Mr Winnell said.
“Thousand Guineas is allowing consumers to experience what is really a superb cut of meat that is juicy and has marbling and great flavour.
“It’s something we’re very proud of because it really show off how good Shorthorn beef is.”
The grainfed and MSA graded brand accepts verified and accredited cattle that are exclusively British bred at least 75 per cent Shorthorn in genetic make-up. The brand requires a marble score of 2+.
The Thousand Guineas brand is a reference to the price of the famed Shorthorn bull Comet which is said to have sold for a thousand guineas in 1810.
The Norman, which has attracted a loyal clientele of meat eaters based on its claim of being Brisbane’s worst vegetarian restaurant, is widely recognised as one of Brisbane’s great steak restaurants.
