Category

Meats

Maple Leaf Farms Duck: Your Nutritious and Sustainable Recipe for Success

By | Appetizers, Farm To Table, Meats, What Chefs Want

In the dynamic world of dining, one protein source is emerging as a star for its exceptional taste, versatility, and eco-friendly ethos. Allow us to introduce you to Maple Leaf Farms—the farm that’s revolutionizing how chefs and food enthusiasts perceive duck meat.

A Nutritional Marvel Awaits: The White Pekin Duck

Before we delve into the legacy and sustainable practices of Maple Leaf Farms, let’s uncover the nutritional treasure that is White Pekin Duck. Beyond its deliciousness, this duck variety boasts a commendable nutritional profile that’s catching the attention of chefs and foodies worldwide.

The White Pekin duck is a protein source that not only dazzles your palate but also supports your health goals. This duck variety has lower fat and calorie content compared to many other meats, making it a winning pick for those who crave incredible flavors while upholding a balanced diet.

A skinless duck breast weighs in at a mere 110 calories per 4 oz. serving, accompanied by a paltry 2 grams of total fat. Compare this to the leanest chicken breast, and duck claims the victory in the realm of lean meats.

Duck fat isn’t just a culinary secret; it’s a nutritional revelation. Bursting with monounsaturated fats, akin to revered olive oil, duck fat is a wonder in the world of healthy fats. Its saturated fat content is notably low, especially considering that much of it resides in the skin—which can be conveniently rendered off or removed before cooking, putting you in charge of your dish’s fat content.
And this duck isn’t just about less fat; it’s about more goodness. This variety is a treasure trove of essential nutrients, boasting impressive quantities of iron and selenium—crucial elements that bolster your well-being.

Duck’s Culinary Identity: Red Meat with a Twist

Contrary to its poultry companions like chicken and turkey, duck strides into the realm of red meat, ushering in a diverse flavor profile akin to steak. This distinction lends duck a versatile culinary nature that shines in everything from elegant soirées to casual gatherings—a must-have ingredient for chefs aiming to elevate their creations.

Cooking duck is an art that marries precision with passion. Unlike traditional white meats, a skillfully prepared duck breast delights with a slight pink center when cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This artistry doesn’t just ensure tenderness; it enriches the distinctive flavor profile duck is celebrated for.

In a world where flavor often collides with wellness, White Pekin duck bridges the gap. Its delectable taste, partnered with its stellar nutritional qualities, makes it a prime choice for health-conscious chefs and food enthusiasts alike.

Maple Leaf Farm Makes Duck Approachable

Maple Leaf Farms is on a mission to make duck a staple in every kitchen. From gourmet sit-down meals to approachable, shareable dishes, there’s a place for duck in every type of restaurant. Imagine duck tacos that tantalize the taste buds or savory appetizers like duck bacon wontons and crispy duck wings—these are just the beginning of your culinary journey.

For those curious but hesitant, Maple Leaf Farms offers recipes and inspiration on their website, guiding chefs of all levels to create delectable duck dishes that will have diners coming back for more.

A Legacy of Excellence and Sustainability

While the spotlight on White Pekin duck’s nutritional wonders shines bright, let’s shift our focus to the legacy that is Maple Leaf Farms—a story of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled duck products.

Maple Leaf Farms’ journey begins with a dedication to sustainability. Partnering with local farmers and raising ducks in open-air barns at a comfortable temperature, their approach guarantees consistent, top-tier meat—a chef’s dream come true. With innovative barn designs that effectively manage waste and eco-friendly practices like repurposing manure for local fields, sustainability takes center stage.

No Waste, Just Excellence

Maple Leaf Farms’ commitment to sustainability echoes through every step, from processing ducks themselves to ensuring each part serves a purpose. No element is overlooked—even feathers find their place, transformed into pillows and comforters, showcasing a zero-waste mindset that’s both responsible and innovative.

A Global Impact with Local Roots

Maple Leaf Farms’ global presence retains a heartwarming small-town feel. From a modest 1958 Indiana duck operation, it has evolved into an international powerhouse, exporting to various corners of the world. This journey is a testament to their dedication to excellence, rooted in founder Donald Wentzel’s vision and carried forward through generations.

Culinary Excellence Meets Sustainability: Your Journey Begins

So, are you ready to elevate your creations with Maple Leaf Farms Duck? We offer a variety of Maple Leaf Farms duck products, delivered right to your door. Search our website or app for Maple Leaf or search by item code:

  • Bone in duck leg & thigh – Item #00890
  • Ground duck – Item #00889
  • Duck leg confit – Item #00893
  • Duck breast – Item #00841
  • Whole duck – Item #00384

Red, White and BBQ

By | Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Local, Meats, Seafood, The Butchery, Vegetables, What Chefs Want

Grilling inspiration for your 4th of July menu

The 4th of July is just around the corner, and you know what that means—time to fire up the grill or smoker and give your customers a menu that sets off fireworks of flavor and leaves everyone craving more. That’s why we’re here to share our BBQ favorites, guaranteed to add sizzle and excitement to your holiday feast. From hand-cut, premium quality steaks to the freshest produce, we’ve got the ingredients that will inspire grilling greatness and create an unforgettable 4th of July experience.  

Center of the Plate Stars for the Grill

The sizzle and aroma of a perfectly grilled steak evoke a sense of anticipation and delight, as each bite offers a tender and juicy experience that is simply irresistible. Try one of our favorites, the Black Hawk Reserve Striploin. Black Hawk Farms cattle are selectively bred for intense marbling and robust flavor. (Search Item #26955)

Nothing says the 4th of July like a burger hot off the grill, but how can you take those burgers to the next level? It’s all about the quality of the beef itself. Try Berry Beef Burger Patties. Berry Farms dry ages their beef, allowing the natural flavors to be enhanced while making the meat more tender. (Search Item #26696)

While beef remains a favorite in star-spangled spreads, don’t overlook the incredible flavors of fish, which prove to be an excellent and delectable option for the grill as well.

It is wild caught salmon season, ensuring a steady supply of Sockeye Salmon and the perfect grilling companion, King Salmon. Sockeye salmon is known for its intense flavor and vibrant red color, while King salmon is revered for its large size, high fat content, and luxurious taste. (Search Item #28603)

Cobia, a versatile and delicious fish, is an excellent choice for grilling enthusiasts. With its firm and flavorful flesh, Cobia holds up well on the grill, allowing for various preparations and marinades to enhance its taste. (Search Item #48021)

Don’t Forget the Smoker

We can’t let the summer season start without a nod to the magic of smoked meat.

Smoking lamb neck or lamb shoulder creates a tender and flavorful culinary experience. The slow smoking process allows the lamb to develop a rich smoky aroma and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, resulting in a truly unforgettable dish. Freedom Run Farm Lamb is more tender and mild than virtually any other lamb available in the market today. (Search Item #62506 for lamb neck and #62502 for lamb shoulder)

Smoked beef brisket is a barbecue masterpiece that promises an explosion of smoky and savory flavors. We recommend smoking the Black Hawk Brisket. (Search Item #00336)

Produce that Pops on the Grill

Summer is the perfect season to showcase the vibrant flavors of fresh vegetables on the grill. Grilling vegetables enhances their textures and creates a delicious char, elevating them to a whole new level of culinary enjoyment during the sunny and bountiful days of summer.

Grilling asparagus highlights the natural sweetness and earthy flavors of this versatile vegetable. With a slight char on the outside, grilled asparagus offers a perfect balance of crispness and tenderness, making it a perfect side dish or addition to salads, pastas, or as a standalone appetizer. (Search Item #20000 for jumbo and #20005 for standard)

Broccolini and caulilini are excellent choices for grilling due to their unique attributes. Broccolini, with its tender stems and small florets, grills beautifully, developing a smoky flavor while retaining its crunch. The thinner stalks of caulilini allow for quick and even cooking on the grill, resulting in a delightful blend of charred and slightly sweet flavors. Both vegetables benefit from the grill’s heat, transforming into deliciously charred and caramelized delights that add a delightful twist to any summer meal. (Search Item #20012 for broccolini and #03643 for caulilini)

Sweet corn is in season as well, so don’t forget that it is a treat on the grill! (Search Item #20041)

Gourmet Goods to Enhance your Grill

Take your grilling to the next level by incorporating flavorful glazes. Elevate your dishes with the luscious sweetness of fig balsamic glaze, made by enriching balsamic vinegar of Modena PGI with fig juice, or indulge in the earthy richness of truffle balsamic glaze, infused with the aromatic essence of truffles. (Search Item #29869 for fig balsamic glaze and #29853 for truffle balsamic glaze)

Change your whole flavor profile with spices like ras el hanout or za’atar. A prized Moroccan spice blend, ras el hanout takes its name from an Arabic phrase that can be loosely translated as ‘top of the shop’, meaning the very best a spice merchant has to offer. Za’atar is a complex medley of seasonings is notable for its rich aroma and well-balanced curry-like flavor. It is an authentic Middle Eastern mix of herbs and spices, featuring sumac, thyme, oregano, sesame seeds and salt that is sure to add a new pop of flavor to your grilled favorites. (Search Item #97142 for ras el hanout and #97181 for za’atar)

Elevate your grilled fish with extra virgin olive oil with lemon or yuzu. The yuzu oil, a fantastic complement to grilled seafood, offers a refreshing twist as a versatile citrus substitute. (Search Item #18268 for EVOO with lemon and #95411 for yuzu oil)

What Chefs Want is Delivering Your Grilling Favorites

What Chefs Want has you covered with a selection of grilling favorites that will make your menu shine. From hand-cut steaks to the freshest seasonal produce, our premium quality ingredients are sure to elevate your summer menu and leave your guests craving more.

With split cases, daily delivery (even on the 4th!) and no minimum orders, we give chefs what they want and need to create summer menu magic.

*Not available in all regions – see website or app for more information.

Item of the Day: Buffalo Short Ribs  

By | Chef's Feed, Item of the Day, Meats, The Butchery, What Chefs Want

Bone-In Buffalo Short Ribs

Bison has a lighter, slightly sweeter taste than beef, and far less fat. The texture is different too – bison has a slightly coarser texture. Try cooking low and slow in a tasty braising liquid. 

In addition to being lower in fat, bison is also packed with iron. 

*This item should be ordered by the case, not the pound


 Item 98699 – 17 Lb Case


Item of the Day: Mortadella with Pistachios

By | Appetizers, Charcuterie, Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Hors d'oeuvre, Item of the Day, Meats, Pork, What Chefs Want

Mortadella with Pistachios

Berkshire rendition of the classic from Emilia Romagna. Studded with whole black peppercorns, cubes of back fat and Pariani DOP (Denominazione d’ Origine Protetta – “Protected Designation of Origin”Sicilian Pistachios.

FUN FACT: Mortadella originated in Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna. Anna Del Conte (The Gastronomy of Italy 2001) found a sausage mentioned in a document of the official body of meat preservers in Bologna dated 1376 that may be mortadella.


 Item 95023 – 7 Lb Piece


Item of the Day: Ora King Salmon Fillets

By | Chef's Feed, Item of the Day, Meats, Seafood, What Chefs Want

Ora King Salmon Fillets

Ora King salmon is sustainably raised in New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds as if it were in the wild. Ora King Salmon is grown without antibiotics, steroids, growth hormones, vaccines or unnatural substance or chemicals. It has the highest Omega-3 content than any other salmon. The soft and buttery texture combines with a delicate flavor to create an elegant taste. Ora King Salmon is served in the finest dining establishments around the world and can easily be baked, broiled, smoked, cured, grilled or poached as well as eaten raw for sashimi or sushi purposes. Due to its fatty (the good fat!) content, this succulent fish is difficult to overcook!

*Also available by the whole fish – item 48086 & “no skin” fillets – item 48759


Item 48084 – With Skin, Ordered by the LB


Item of the Day:  Berry Beef Ground Beef

By | Beef, Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Grilling Essentials, Item of the Day, Local, Meats, The Butchery, What Chefs Want

Berry Beef Ground Beef

Berry Beef, named after poet and agrarian philosopher Wendell Berry, is committed to good animal and land stewardship, and to farmers getting paid a livable wage for their hard work. Our dry-aged Angus beef is raised and processed humanely in Henry County, Kentucky. Our farms raise animals on grass and finish them on grain according to standards set by the Berry Center.

 Item 26695 – 2/5 Lb Case


I dislike the thought that some animal has been made miserable to feed me. If I am going to eat meat, I want it to be from an animal that has lived a pleasant, uncrowded life outdoors, on bountiful pasture, with good water nearby and trees for shade.”

-Wendell Berry, What Are People For?

Item of the Day: Black Hawk Ground Beef

By | Beef, Chef's Feed, Grilling Essentials, Item of the Day, Local, Meats, The Butchery, What Chefs Want

Black Hawk Ground Beef

Black Hawk Farms is a fourth generation family farm in Western Kentucky. Their cattle are traditionally born and raised on pasture and then grain-finished using white corn, rye hay and soft red winter wheat – that they grow on their farm, free of antibiotics or hormones.

They use an eco –friendly compost barn which eliminates any negative impact to the environment. The compost barn utilizes sawdust from a local saw mill combined with what would become animal waste to create a superior mulch-like organic fertilizer that is then recycled on the farm.

This Kentucky Proud product is changing the way cattle are raised East of the Mississippi and we are pleased to offer our customers a fantastic local beef option. Through this partnership we are able to eliminate about 1,000 miles of carbon footprint!

Item 55361 – 2/5LB Case 

Item of the Day: Salmon Bratwurst

By | Chef's Feed, Gourmet, Grilling Essentials, Item of the Day, Local, Local and Specialty, Meats, Products, Seafood, What Chefs Want

Salmon Bratwurst

From Shuckman’s Fish Co. & Smokery – “Since we began in 1919, we have taken great pride in the high quality of the products we offer, and we prepare our gourmet smoked fish and caviar to the level of quality our customers have come to expect.”

Ingredients: salmon, sugar, salt, spices, rice flour.

Links are 5 per lb.

Item 95045 – 8-9LB Case

Springer Mountain Farms Chicken

By | Chef's Feed, Farm To Table, Local and Specialty, Meats, Southern Foods, What Chefs Want

Springer Mountain Farms is a family-owned business nestled in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with over 50 years experience in raising chickens. We exercise great care in all that we do, and our dedication to providing our chickens with a quality of life and healthy diet results in a healthier, more delicious chicken for our customers.


All Springer Mountain Farms chickens are responsibly raised on a high quality diet of pesticide-free, American-grown grains, without antibiotics, hormones, steroids or animal by-products -EVER! We are certified by the American Humane Association as being the most humane possible with verified regular, independent audits of all farms and facilities.

Search Springer on our website or app to see available Springer Mountain Farms Chicken products.

For more information about Springer Mountain Farms check out their website here.