Matt-Hat Jerky, a gourmet beef jerky business owned and operated by siblings Matthew, 15, and Katrina Kuplack, 18, won a gold medal for “Best Beef Jerky” in The International Jerky Awards after just four years in business.

Matt-Hat Jerky Original, Traditional Japanese Teriyaki and Black Truffle all placed either Gold or Silver for “Best Beef Jerky” at the 2020 Taste TV Awards for Top Artisan Jerky. They have also received kudos from celebrity chefs Guy Fieri and Andrew Zimmern through social media.

The two started the company four years ago using their grandfather’s recipe for homemade jerky.

Manly man flowers abound

For anyone interested in a gift with a meat twist, Southern California-based Manly Man Co. offers Beef Jerky Flowers, Bacon Roses, Manly Gift Boxes, Meathearts, Meat Cards and Bacon Bouquets.

“We’re on a mission to save you the time and frustration when searching for a unique and intriguing gift men will love,” the company said in its mission statement. “It won’t be re-gifted like other gifts (he likely doesn’t need any more pajamas).”

OVERherd

“Democrats in Washington have put forward two starkly different proposals for strengthening the future of American cattle farmers and ranchers.”

– The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on its opposition of the Farm System Reform Act.

Bearded Butcher Brock Lesnar

WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar might know all there is to know about wrestling, but when it comes to being a butcher, he’s still an amateur. That is, until he had the chance to appear on the “Bearded Butcher” show on YouTube. Creston, Ohio-based Bearded Butcher Blend seasoning hosted the wrestler on their butchery program in July to teach Lesnar a few tricks to use outside of the wrestling ring.

During the 15-minute clip, the “bearded butchers” demonstrate for Lesnar the necessary skills for butchering bison, beef and pork.

The Bearded Butchers have more than 700,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Chicken wars go beyond meat

The chicken wars have extended beyond traditional fast-food chicken sandwiches. Airheads recently launched its own chicken sandwich on National Fried Chicken Day with a bun made entirely of Airhead candy.

The Airhead Chicken Sandwich was made up of fried chicken, coleslaw, spicy mayo and pickles all resting on a sweet and sour Airheads Xtremes bun. However, interested diners only had a three-hour window to enjoy the sandwich on July 6 at Frances’ Deli & Brunchery in Chicago.