As the host of the Food Network’s 10 Dollar Dinners, celebrity chef Melissa d’Arabian knows how to combine simple ingredients and quick preparation for maximum flavor. Since she often relies on grilled pork to create family-friendly meals, she has teamed up with the Pork Checkoff this summer to help consumers tame the flame and kick off the national photo contest, “Calling All Grillers with Groupies!”
“In our family, variety is the spice of summer. From weeknight chops and kid-friendly kebobs to party-pleasing ribs, pork offers unmatched versatility in cuts and flavor, pairing with almost any spice, rub or sauce,” says d’Arabian, a budget-conscious and busy mother of four young daughters. “The ease and versatility of pork allows me to spend time with my favorite groupies – my daughters – regardless of the occasion.”
To spread the word, d’Arabian starred in the Pork Checkoff’s recent satellite media tour, which included 25 television and radio interviews with media outlets in top markets across the country, from Atlanta, Ga., to San Francisco, Calif. d’Arabian, who won season five of The Next Food Network Star in 2009, hit the airwaves with grilling tips and recipes, including her BBQ Blade Steak Papillotes (“food in foil”).
“Melissa is a great spokesperson for pork because her focus on quick, kid-friendly meals really resonates with our target audience,” says Traci Rodemeyer, manager of pork information for the Pork Checkoff. She notes that a variety of d’Arabian’s pork recipes are showcased at TheOtherWhiteMeat.com, including Grilled Pork and Vegetable Chopped Salad; BBQ Blade Steak Papillotes; Tender Ribs with Smoked Paprika; Pork Skewers with Tangy and Zippy Orange Barbecue Sauces; and Grilled Spicy Sausage Patties.
Contest takes a new twist
To make this grilling season extra special, d’Arabian and America’s pork producers are searching for the grill master with the greatest groupies in the National Pork Board’s “Calling All Grillers with Groupies” contest. Through August 31, consumers can visit TheOtherWhiteMeat.com and submit a photo with a 50 word-or-less caption that explains or tells a story about how they enjoy spending time by the grill with their “grilling groupies,” including their family and friends.
“Multiple factors will be considered when selecting the winner, including creativity and originality, and the pork passion needs to come through loud and clear,” says Rodemeyer. “The winner will get to be Melissa’s “groupie” for a day and cook alongside her during the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival this October.”
The photo contest, which offers a fun twist on the Pork Checkoff’s traditional recipe contest, is being promoted on TheOtherWhiteMeat.com, along with the Pork Checkoff’s new “Celebrate Summer Sizzle” recipe brochure, which can be downloaded for free. The recipes in the brochure are being used in conjunction with the Pork Checkoff’s advertising and point-of-sale retail promotions to drive pork sales this summer.
“Nothing brings people together during the summer months like food on the grill,” Rodemeyer says. “Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, tailgate at a ball game or gathering around a campfire, we’re rewarding consumers who put pork on their grill.”
Source: National Pork Board