Chef Michael Scelfo of Russell House Tavern with his three Lamb Jam trophies
The American Lamb Board held their fourth annual Lamb Jam at The Charles Hotel in Boston tonight. Chef Michael Scelfo of Russell House Tavern in Cambridge, Massachusetts took home three trophies, one for Best Overall dish, as well as winning Best Belly & Breast dish, and the People’s Choice Award, all for his Smoked and Braised Lamb Belly on a Steamed Bun With Pickled Radishes and Herb Salad.
We spoke with Scelfo after his win. He had to this say, “I’m very happy to be a participant for the third year in a row. It’s a great event and I always love cooking with American Lamb. I’m excited to go to New York and eat some good food and hang out.”
There were eighteen chefs and restaurants represented at the event, including three from Rhode Island, each preparing one lamb dish using either a leg, shank, shoulder or belly/breast cut of American lamb. There was also a lamb butchery demo given by butchers from Tavolo, shepherds from North Star Sheep Farms and The Farm Institute, along with beer served by seven area breweries and wine from 90+ Cellars. A portion of the proceeds went to support Lovin’ Spoonfuls Food Rescue.
As Best in Show winner, Scelfo will now compete in New York later this year against the winners of Lamb Jams being held in cities around the country. The winners in other categories this evening were: Chef Cassie Piuma of Oleana was the Best Shoulder dish winner for Moroccan BBQ Lamb Roll With Pickled Cabbage, Goat Cheese and Fried Sweet Potato; Best Shank dish went to Chef Brian Rae of Rialto for Lamb Shank Fritter With Garlic Chive Spatzle, Blood Orange , Fried Rosemary and Lamb Jus; Best Leg dish went to Chef Brian Reyelt of Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar for Adobo Lamb Leg Taco With Pickled Onion and Queso.
At last year’s Boston Lamb Jam there was one Providence chef in the competition. This year there were three from across Rhode Island competing. Chef Matt Gennuso of Chez Pascal competed in the Shank category with his Braised Lamb Shank Ragout With Bread, Lamb and Kale Meatballs, Golden Raisins and Curried Cloumage Cheese; Chef Champe Speidel of Persimmon competed in the Belly & Breast category with his Slow Roasted Breast of Lamb with Medjool Dates, Pine Nuts, Cauliflower and Petite Anise Hyssop; and Chef Beau Vestal of New Rivers competed in the Shoulder category with his Crispy Lamb Shoulder Rillettes with Greek Yogurt, Aromatic Herbs and Curry.
Congratulations to Chef Scelfo and all the winners.
Smoked and Braised Lamb Belly on a Steamed Bun With Pickled Radishes and Herb Salad
Lamb Jam VIP hour included lamb charcuterie from Chef Evan Mallett of Black Trumpet Bistro
The Chez Pascal team plating Braised Lamb Shank Ragout With Bread, Lamb and Kale Meatballs, Golden Raisins and Curried Cloumage Cheese
The New Rivers crew plating Crispy Lamb Shoulder Rillettes with Greek Yogurt, Aromatic Herbs and Curry
New Rivers’ Crispy Lamb Shoulder Rillettes with Greek Yogurt, Aromatic Herbs and Curry
Oleana’s Moroccan BBQ Lamb Roll With Pickled Cabbage, Goat Cheese and Fried Sweet Potato
Shepherd Lisa Webster of North Star Sheep Farms with butchers Nuno Alves and Chris Douglas of Tavolo
Chez Pascal co-owner Kristin Gennuso with Lamb Jam host Billy Costa
Chef Champe Speidel plating Slow Roasted Breast of Lamb with Medjool Dates, Pine Nuts, Cauliflower and Petite Anise Hyssop
The four chef winners, from left to right: Cassie Piuma of Oleana, Michael Scelfo of Russell House Tavern, Brian Reynelt of Citizen and Brian Rae of Rialto
