12 Elbert County News
LIFE
October 20, 2016
LOCAL
A cut above the rest
All eyes on the cutting table at the first round of the Texas Roadhouse National Meat Cutting Competition on Oct. 11 at South Suburban Ice Arena, 6580 S. Vine St. Six of about 30 meat cutters will advance to the final round for a chance to win $20,000. Photos by Alex DeWind
Meat cutters show their skills at ice arena in first competition round
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunity The more than 30 men and women — from Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and South Dakota — at South Suburban Ice Arena last week weren’t wearing ice skates. Instead they were bundled up and stationed in front of a table with slabs of meat and kitchenware. The first round of the Texas Roadhouse National Meat Cutting Competition, created in 2001 to recognize the restaurant’s meat cutters, was held Oct. 11 at the Littleton ice venue. Texas Roadhouse has locations throughout the state and is known for its American cuisine, including steak, hand-made sides and rolls. The restaurant’s meat cutters are similar to butchers, said Rob Pesa, Texas Roadhouse product coach. “It is a skill,” Pesa said. “Unfortunately,
THE WINNERS Camerino Segura, of Thornton Jose Salas, of Parker Jose Reyes, of Northfield Angel Devora, of Fort Collins Cesar Cisneros, of Albuquerque, New Mexico
it’s a lost art.” At the event, each participant was given 25-30 pounds of beef — including one sirloin, one tenderloin and one ribeye — to cut in 60 minutes in the 38-degree ice rink. Meat cutters were judged on quality, speed and yield. Five advanced to the semifinals round, which is scheduled for March in Orlando, Florida. The winner of the na-
tional competition will pocket $20,000 and be recognized as Meat Cutter of the Year. Edgar Pantoga, a 13-year-old from Aurora, watched his mother from the stands. She was one of two women in the competition. “It’s cool because not many girls do it,” he said. “There are a lot of boys out there.” The profession isn’t easy. Meat cutters are on their feet from seven to eight hours a day in a 35-degree walk-in cooler, Pesa said. They are responsible for hand-cutting every steak served at their local Texas Roadhouse. “It’s a very difficult environment,” he said. “Finding the right people to do it is hard.” South Suburban Parks and Recreation has hosted the event at its ice arena, 6580 S. Vine St., for five years. The cool temperature keeps the meat from spoiling. “It’s fun,” said Dirk Doty, recreation coordinator. “Something different.”
Meat cutters are judged on quality, speed and yield for the chance to win $20,000.
‘Swan Lake’ features dancer set to retire at season’s end Principal dancer Maria Mosina, as Odette, partners with Alexei Tyukov in selected performances of “Swan Lake” at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex. Mosina has announced that she’ll retire at the end of this season and turn to teaching younger dancers. The set and costumes are elegant and a live orchestra accompanies the dancers with Tchaikovsky’s lyrical score. A real treat! Remaining performances: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Oct. 21, Oct. 22; 2 p.m. Oct. 23. Coloradoballet. org, 303-837-8888, ext. 2. ‘It Can’t Happen Here’ — or can it? On Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Curious Theatre, 1080 Acoma St., Denver, will join theaters across the nation in a free reading performance of a new adaptation of “It Can’t Happen Here,” based on Sinclair Lewis’ satirical novel (1935). Written during the rise of fascism in Europe, it tells a story of a demagogue who becomes president of the United States by
Sonya Ellingboe
SONYA’S SAMPLER
promising to make the country great again. In 1936, theaters across the U.S. opened the play on the same night and this will be an 80th anniversary commemoration. The new adaptation is written by Berkeley Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Tony Taccone. Free, but RSVP is required at curioustheatre.org/ cant-happen.
Salida Circus Spooky fun and Halloween acts will be performed by the Salida Circus at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. All ages. Free refreshments. 303-795-3961.
‘Play-in’ presented The Arapahoe Philharmonic will present a “play-in” for high school orchestra and band students in Arapahoe and Douglas counties, as well as avocational adult musicians in the community, at Chaparral High School, 15655 Brookstone Drive, Parker. The school is hosting this full day orchestral experience. Participants will spend the day rehearsing the first movement of Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony” and Sibelius’ “Finlandia.” The community is invited to a free 30-minute performance at 6:30 p.m. Devin Patrick Hughes is music director of the Arapahoe Philharmonic. Arapahoephil.org, 303-781-1892. Denver Lyric Opera Guild DLOG’s next Opera on Tuesday meeting will be at 11 a.m. on Nov. 1 at Pinehurst Country Club, 6255 W. Quincy Ave., Denver. The program will feature DU’s Lamont School of Music. Reservations by Oct. 27. ($40). Pay on dlog website, denverlyricoperaguild.org or send check to: Linda
Young, 934 S. Cove Way, Denver, CO 80210. Guests welcome. ACC Foundation “Grapes and Hops to Grads” will be hosted by Arapahoe Community College Foundation from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 at the Mike Ward Automotive Maserati Showroom, 1850 Lucent Court in Highlands Ranch. Sample from more than 45 different wines and craft beers from LIDO Wine Merchants. Proceeds will support the ACC Foundation. Tickets cost $45/person; $75/couple. ACC employees, alumni and students may purchase tickets for $35: bit. ly/ACCgrapes. Information: foundation@ arapahoe.edu, 303-797-5881. Parker Symphony Dvorak’s “New World Symphony” will be featured in the Parker Symphony’s concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Ave., Parker. Tickets: $27: parkerarts.org.