Workshops to Expand Range of U.S. Beef and Pork Cuts in Japan’s Foodservice Sector

As tourism rebounds and Japan’s foodservice sector strengthens, USMEF is advancing efforts to introduce new ideas for U.S. beef and pork cuts and variety meats to Japanese distributors.

Workshops to Expand Range of U.S. Beef and Pork Cuts in Japan

USMEF conducted a first-ever U.S. beef workshop for foodservice distributor Starzen Kanto in Tokyo.

USMEF conducted a first-ever workshop on American beef for 40 staff members of Starzen Kanto in Tokyo this summer. In addition to promoting cuts such as short plate, lifter meat, loin tail and tiger tail, USMEF provided cutting and cooking demonstrations of a wide range of menu items which could utilize these cuts. USMEF demonstrated usage of lifter (blade) meat for lemon steak for example, loin tail for sukiyaki, shabu-shabu and Philly cheese steak, and short plate for stew.

“The goal of the workshops is to educate the distributor’s staff on new ideas for American beef and pork that they can share with their customers,” says USMEF Japan Director Satoshi Kato. “Customers in Japan often consult with their distributors for new, cost-effective menu ideas.”

Funding for the workshops was provided by the Beef Checkoff Program, National Pork Board and USDA’s Market Access Program.

Source: USMEF