KSWPA began this event eight years ago in an effort to increase the awareness of American Lamb to future chefs in our state and to consumers. Very often, the students in the contest have never had experience cooking with lamb and even sometimes eating it! The Lamb Jam Cook-Off is a wonderful opportunity for student chefs to get hands-on experience in both. KSWPA provides the Lexington Sullivan University American Lamb Board foodservice materials prior to the contest to help students better understand the basics of lamb nutrition and preparation. Many students who graduate the program serve in local restaurants and report cooking American Lamb in their restaurants. In fact, the reason the 2017 KY Lamb Jam Cook-Off was held at The Red Mile Racetrack is because the head chef is a Sullivan University graduate. Guests of this year’s event were also exposed to a variety of lamb information. Sullivan University conducted a lamb fabrication demonstration while the student chefs prepared their plates. All guests received American Lamb Board information on the nutritional benefits of lamb, how to prepare it and where lamb can be purchased. Guests were able to watch the student chefs and ask questions regarding preparation techniques. They were also provided samples of lamb from Four Hills Farm.