Who would ever think that cutting steaks would help local charities.  Getting clever with the meat cleaver and a National Meat Cutting Competition is something a popular Vestal restaurant has been doing for over 10 years now.  This year, they team up with one the area's largest employers to raise awareness for the homeless and feed the hungry at the same time.

Maines Paper and Food Service, Inc. is very excited to host the annual Texas Roadhouse Meat Cutters North East Regional Competition this Friday at Maines' headquarters in Conklin, New York.  The competition aims to recognize and appreciate the restaurant's in-house butchers, and award the best of the best with a $20,000 grand prize later at the National Competition.

According to Maines CEO, Christopher Mellon, "we need to put these steaks to good use for those less fortunate in our community."  The Rescue Mission in conjunction with United Presbyterian Church in Binghamton contacted YWCA, YMCA, the Volunteers of America and offered everybody seats at the table.  Dinner will be served Friday night, after the competition at the Maines' headquarters in Conklin.

Vikki Collazo of the Rescue Mission Whitney Place says "We are thrilled Maines and Texas Roadhouse have provided this opportunity for our community through these vital organizations.  This meal comes on the day before the start of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week which begins on Saturday November 16th and runs through November 24th.  What a great way to bring awareness to the community with this meal."

Each restaurant may send one meat cutter to the Regional Competition.  Each participant receives 30-40 pounds of beef consisting of two sirloins, one filet, and one rib-eye to cut.  This year's meat cutter, representing Vestal, is Kyle Russell.  Kyle will be judged on quality, yield, and speed in this timed 80-minute "cut off."  The top two cutters will be sent to the semifinals on Orlando, Florida.  The final competition will be on Amelia Island, Florida, where the winner will receive the grand prize of $20,000 and be crowned Meat Cutter of the Year.


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