Stampede 2024: The place to be for ABP

This article was first published in Volume 4 Issue 3 of ABP Magazine (September 2024). Watch for more digital content from the magazine on ABP Daily.

The dust has settled on another successful Calgary Stampede. Over the course of 10 days, “The greatest outdoor show on earth” welcomed approximately 1,331,280 guests.

Calgary Stampede broke attendance records on both Tim Horton’s Family Day and TC Energy Community Day. ABP representatives were busy, starting off the Stampede with the third-annual Alberta Beef Industry Stampede Summit.

This year’s rendition of the Summit began with a tour on July 7, hosted by Westway Farms in Didsbury. On July 8, ABP and our partner industry organizations welcomed government officials from all levels (and even some international guests) to an exclusive reception where ABP awarded the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award.

ABP also represented at the Brandt Cattle Trail, located in the Nutrient Centre. Our new “I heart AB Beef” marquee sign welcomed guests into Cattle Trail where they had the opportunity to learn about the beef industry and the roles different partner organizations play in the industry. ABP also collaborated with other industry partners to host “Meet the Expert” segments alongside the live cattle display. This allowed the public the opportunity to ask beef related questions and have one-on-one time with producers and various experts from the industry.

Steaks were high at Kitchen Theatre

Back by popular demand, ABP invited three chefs to complete in “black box” styled cooking competitions at the 2024 Kitchen Theatre. Chefs Mel Chmilar Jr. and Xavier Lacaze went head-to-head on Day One. This was a potential redemption round for Chef Xavier as he lost to Chef Mel in our 2023 Kitchen Theatre competition. This year’s black box highlighted Alberta Beef Striploin with complementing ingredients. Chef Xavier indeed received his redemption as he took home the win for his pink peppercorn-crusted Striploin with honey carrot salad, inching out Chef Mel’s delicious Striploin bao bun and kimchi drizzle. To help with our judging and moderating, we welcomed special guest Sarah Crosbie from QR Calgary, who not only brought her energy, but ignited a hunger in the crowd for prime Alberta Beef.

On the second day of competition, we partnered with Crosby’s Molasses, which was featured as our secret black box ingredient, accompanied by a gorgeous Alberta Beef Ribeye. It was a battle of East versus West as Chef Mel faced off with his good friend Chef Brad Billard from Niagara, Ontario. The winning Ribeye crostini with not one, but TWO, delicious sauces – a chipotle maple sauce and an East Coast white sauce and Chef Brad secured the win for Day Two. Chef Mel prepared a close runner-up Ribeye mini taco that brought a round of freshness and true feeling of summer to the dish.

Our third and final day, Canada Beef and Alberta Beef joined forces for a special presentation. Chef Mel guided the audience on ways to secure more meat for their money. He showcased his knife skills and gave great insight into the savings you can pocket by cutting down larger beef cuts at home. The audience was then able to try a few different dishes originating from the same cut of meat, further highlighting the versatility of beef in the kitchen.