The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently organized a consumer testing competition in Korea to showcase the quality of U.S. beef and pork steaks. Drawing inspiration from standardized tests used in college admissions in the U.S., the event, known as the U.S. Steak Ability Test, attracted 2,369 participants who competed to earn the title of Korean “steak master.”

The competition spanned over two weeks and commenced with a preliminary round conducted through an online survey platform. Participants were tested on various aspects of high-quality red meat, including the sustainability and production values of grain-fed U.S. beef and pork. The top 34 scorers from the preliminary round advanced to the final round, a lively event featuring a steak cooking show and blindfold tastings led by Chef Raymond Kim.

Chef Kim, renowned for his expertise in steaks and his involvement in a popular Netflix cooking show in Korea, demonstrated how to prepare U.S. beef sirloin steak with oriental chimichurri sauce and U.S. pork collar butt steak with mushroom cream sauce. The final test included blind tastings and written questions on meat cut identification, tenderness, flavor, and cooking techniques.

USMEF collaborated with Maso Kim, an influencer with over 500,000 followers, and media outlet METIZEN (86,000 followers) to promote the contest and its outcomes. The event received funding support from the National Pork Board, as well as from the USDA through the Market Access Program and Regional Agricultural Promotion Program.

Overall, the U.S. Steak Ability Test served as a platform to highlight the superior quality of U.S. beef and pork steaks, engage consumers in a fun and educational manner, and promote the sustainability and production values of American meat products. Through interactive competitions and expert-led demonstrations, participants gained valuable insights into the attributes of high-quality red meat and learned about the best practices for cooking and enjoying U.S. beef and pork steaks.

For more information on the U.S. Steak Ability Test and to read about the event’s success, visit the US Meat Export Federation website.