Animal Welfare Approved Lamb Wins 2009 “Best Dish in North Carolina”!

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Our State Magazine recently announced the winners of the 2009 “Best Dish in North Carolina” competition. The winning dish, chosen from over 60 other entries from the mountains to the coast, was lamb carpaccio prepared by Chef Shane Ingram of Four Square Restaurant in Durham. Ingram served grassfed, Animal Welfare Approved lamb from Captain John S. Pope Farm in Cedar Grove. Farmer Bob Pope said of the achievement, “We’re beside ourselves we’re so elated. It’s very exciting.” Cousins and farming partners Bob and Tommy Pope had pretty good odds during the final selection process – three out of the ten finalists featured their lamb! Chef Ingram recently visited Bob at Pope Farm and explained, “That’s one reason we go local. Not only can we see [how the animals are raised], he explains the whole process. We talked about omega content, water quality – I’m learning. Our customers are very interested in where their food is coming from, whether it is local, sustainable or organic because of the health benefits. It just makes sense.”

To read more about Captain John S. Pope Farm, check out their profile in our Summer 2009 newsletter.

Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture website.