Davey Griffin talking about anatomy at the Center of the Plate Training sponsored by the North American Meat Institute

The North American Meat Institute has announced that the Center of the Plate Training® will be held at the Rosenthal Meat Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, June 5-7, 2018. Center of the Plate Training® is a three-day course designed to teach the fundamentals of meat specifications by giving a first-hand look at how carcasses are converted to cuts commonly used in retail and foodservice. It is a lively learning experience that includes a detailed cutting demonstration of all the major center of the plate protein items: beef, veal, lamb, and pork, as well as sections on poultry and processed meats. Participants will come away with an increased knowledge of center of the plate items and a personal copy of the Meat Buyer’s Guide®; for over 40 years, the authoritative Guide to meat and poultry identification.

The Texas A&M University instructors include Davey Griffin, Professor and Extension Meat Specialist, and Jeff Savell, University Distinguished Professor, Regents Professor, and E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal Chairholder. Both Griffin and Savell have extensive knowledge of anatomy, grading, and cutting procedures, which adds so much to the training and the participants’ experiences.

Davey Griffin discussing beef cuts to participants at the Center of the Plate Training sponsored by the North American Meat Institute

What you will learn from this course:

• The IMPS numbering system, purchaser specified options, and a knowledge of the meat items as described by the Meat Buyers Guide.
• How standards keep products consistent, wholesome, and fair throughout the market.
• Common defects or inconsistencies in meat products that you should look for to prevent dissatisfied customers.
• How value is determined for meat products and how it is affected by quality parameters.
• The latest meat cuts, including previously undervalued muscles, and innovative menu ideas.

Jim Murray, National Pork Board, and Davey Griffin, Texas A&M University demonstrating pork carcass cutting

Davey Griffin talking about lamb grading

The course is being co-hosted by the American Meat Science Association, the American Association of Meat Processors, Chicago Midwest Meat Association, Canadian Meat Council, Southwest Meat Association, and Southeastern Meat Association. COP is funded in part by the Beef Checkoff, and is co-sponsored by the Pork Checkoff, Lamb Checkoff and Merck Animal Health.

For registration details, please go to Center of the Plate Training®.

Hotel Details:
Aloft College Station
3081 University Drive East
College Station, TX 77840
1-855-811-0254

For more information, contact Ann Wells, awells@meatinstitute.org or (202) 587-4252.