One of the goals of our new blog is to highlight local, organic food operations. Today I ran across this article from the Vail Daily reporting on Eaton Ranch which is a small cattle operation that sells their beef to places like Larkburger (love that place!).
VAIL VALLEY, Colorado — Stand at the highest point of the Homestead neighborhood in Edwards in Colroado’s Vail Valley and look out over the booming village. Shopping centers, office buildings, recreational fields, schools, condominium complexes, even a world renowned cancer center. Just 20 years ago, you would have seen one Texaco station, one restaurant, and lots of cows.
One half mile west of the Edwards exit off I-70, and south of the interstate there is still a homestead called Eaton Ranch. It looks like an early American home, but actually serves as the base of a small cattle operation. Two years ago, Allana Smith, director of kitchen operations for Vail-based Savory Group, (Larkspur, Larkburger, Avondale) learned that it would be possible for the group to extend their commitment to using local food sources by purchasing an Eaton Ranch steer for the restaurants’ menus.
Chefs Armando Navarro of Larkspur and Jeremy Kittelson of Avondale hand selected one steer who was then given its own pasture in Edwards while the rest of the herd went to graze in another part of the state. The chosen steer was carefully nurtured with a special diet in preparation for its ultimate purpose. The result: tender, flavorful beef organically raised within a few miles of the restaurants.
You may not find local beef in your grocery store or butcher shop, but purchasing the highest quality, organically raised beef available will yield the best flavor. Smaller herds equal the most humane treatment and hence texture and flavor.
Americans love their beef; it’s evident in the popularity of fine steakhouses throughout the country. The best tasting beef is rarely available for purchase in supermarkets. Where’s the compromise? Try wallet-friendly organic ground beef. With America’s biggest day of TV sports fast approaching, why not treat your family and friends to a big pot of chili on Superbowl Sunday?