A STEAK eating competition in Brisbane that set diners' hearts and taste buds ablaze has provided an unlikely fillip to Australian Brahman breeders one week out from their biggest event of the year.
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In a genuine mark of good taste, diners at the Norman Hotel within the famous 'Gabba precinct gave the nod to Brahman beef during the venue's annual Best of Breed promotion during August, outstripping the three other breed contenders - Droughtmaster, Santa Gertrudis and last year's winner, Charbray.
The winning beef was a feature of the Norman Hotel menu during September, culminating in a specially convened lunch for Australian Brahman Breeders Association directors Reade Radel, Injune and Wendy Cole, Gracemere and CEO Anastasia Fanning last Friday.
All three agreed the promotion was perfect timing with 860 Brahman bulls due to go under the hammer during Brahman Week in Rockhampton from October 7-9.
"As breeders we all know how tender Brahman cattle can be - now we definitely have the proof in the eating," Wendy Cole said.
As breeders we all know how tender Brahman cattle can be - now we definitely have the proof in the eating.
- Wendy Cole, vice president Australian Brahman Breeders Association.
"This is a great initiative by the Norman Hotel and well supported by JBS, which continues to promote the benefits of eating beef and bringing more awareness to our product."
After launching this year's competition during the Ekka, diners could buy the Best of Breed package, comprising four 100 gram sirloin steaks portioned by breed on each plate before voting for their favourite cut based on tenderness, juiciness and overall flavour.
It is the second time Brahman has won the competition since its inaugural year in 2015.
JBS business development manager Denis Conroy said the winning beef was drawn from 18 month old Central Queensland cattle, grain-finished at the company's Mungindi feedlot for 120 days before being processed at Beef City in mid June at 370 kg carcase weight.
