Chef Mark Stark, proprietor of Stark Reality Restaurants and the classic Stark’s Steak & Seafood, will cook at the renowned James Beard House Feb. 2 as part of Carnivores’ Delight, a celebration of beef hosted by the Certified Angus Beef brand.
Regarded as the Carnegie Hall of culinary professionals, the James Beard House has hosted dinners prepared by some of the most notable chefs in the world today.
“Cooking at the Beard House never gets old,” said Stark, who has cooked in the iconic kitchen on two previous occasions. “And to do it on behalf of the Certified Angus Beef brand – the same beef we use in our restaurants – is quite an honor. I’m really looking forward to it.”
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Stark and his wife, Terri, are well known in Sonoma County. After launching Willi’s Wine Bar in 2002, Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar in 2003, Monti’s Rotisserie in 2004, and Barcode in 2005, Stark opened his classic American steakhouse, Stark’s Steakhouse, in 2008 in Santa Rosa’s historic West End District.
Stark will be preparing coffee-crusted Certified Angus Beef brand Prime Natural Filet with beef rillettes, bone marrow dumplings and “crack” potatoes as his part of Carnivores’ Delight.
“Mark is one of the finest chefs I know, and I’m excited to share the kitchen with him,” said Scott Popovic, corporate chef for the Certified Angus Beef brand. “This dinner is a chance for guests to reignite their love affair with beef, and Mark certainly knows a thing or two about great steak.”
In addition to Popovic, Stark will be joined by Jeremiah Bacon, Oak Steakhouse, Charleston; Cindy Hutson, Ortanique on the Mile, Miami; Darryl Harmon, Water Works Restaurant & Lounge, Philadelphia; and pastry chef Megan Romano, Chocolate and Spice Bakery and Café, Las Vegas.
The Certified Angus Beef brand can be found in 43 countries around the globe and is in more than 14,000 retail stores and restaurants. There are many brands of beef, but only one Angus brand exceeds expectations. The Certified Angus Beef brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select. Ten quality standards set the brand apart. It’s abundantly flavorful, incredibly tender, naturally juicy.
