Zippy’s Restaurants Wins State Award for Beef

By Wendy Osher

Zippy's Maui. File photo by Wendy Osher.

Zippy’s Restaurants in Hawaii is the winner of the 2011 Beef Backer Award from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council for the company’s support of the beef industry.

One of the operation’s major initiatives is to support local communities, residents, businesses and industries that work to protect sustainability through use of locally produced products and services.

Zippy’s Research and Development Chef, Wayne Komamura, took on the challenge of developing a recipe that was reminiscent of old-fashioned, kama’aina style, homemade hamburger. He was ultimately successful by returning to the use of grass-fed and home-grown beef from the islands.

Zippy’s is now a finalist for the National Beef Backer Award, which will be presented in Nashville, Tenn. during the industry trade show February 1-4.

Beef industry officials in Hawaii are hopeful that consumer and foodservice use of local ground beef will create enough purchasing volume to continue to keep local production viable.