Kansas State University

OLATHE -- The American Royal Association is looking for America's best-tasting steak, and Kansas State University Olathe will help.

The association's second annual American Royal Steak Competition will be at the K-State Olathe campus in September, with the winner announced at the 2013 Grapes & Steaks Competition on Oct. 9. Beef producers from across the nation are invited to submit rib-eye steaks to compete for the best-tasting steak.

"Last year marked the first time for this event at the American Royal," says Todd Graves, Chair of the American Royal Steak Contest Committee. "Most traditional cooking contests are like the American Royal World Series of Barbecue -- they are mainly about preparation. This competition is about awarding America's best-tasting steak."

The American Royal World Series of Barbecue is a registered trademark.

Each steak will be prepared in an identical manner at the K-State Olathe Campus in the laboratory and research kitchens. Points will be assigned for flavor, juiciness and texture. Steaks will be judged by a panel of experts. Last year, judges included restaurateurs, food bloggers, beef representatives, members of the Kansas and Missouri Beef councils, and regional chefs.

"This is a great way for beef producers from all over the country to be judged purely on the quality of their beef. Every entry is treated equally and judged according to the same criteria. We are excited to have another year of this event," said Mark Schatzker, author of "Steak: One Man's Search for the World's Tastiest Piece of Beef."

Steaks are submitted frozen to the K-State Olathe Campus and entry forms must be submitted online at http://www.americanroyal.com. There is no entry fee for this competition.

Marianne Swaney-Stueve, K-State Olathe's sensory and consumer research manager, was awarded "Rookie of the Year" honors by the American Royal for her leadership on behalf of K-State Olathe for the 2012 competition.

For more information about the steak competition, contact Swaney-Stueve at 913-307-7354 or marianess@k-state.edu.

The American Royal Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has been a Kansas City tradition since 1899. Each year more than 270,000 people attend events at the American Royal Complex. In 2012, the Royal was able to give $1.4 million in scholarship and educational awards. In addition to its educational mission, the American Royal generates some $60 million of economic impact, $4.4 million in local tax revenues, and supports 450 jobs. For further information, see http://www.americanroyal.com.

Kansas State University Olathe advances the mission of Kansas State University by integrating education, research and entrepreneurship, focused on animal health, food safety and security, to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.