Category: In the News

New Year, New Pier

Kentucky Legend, the maker of America’s number one-selling boneless ham and sliced turkey, has commissioned Owensboro-native and world-renowned artist Aaron Kizer to give the Kentucky Legend^® Pier a major facelift. After four weeks of on-again, off-again work due to inclement weather, Kizer finished the massive artwork in December 2019.

Located just outside the Owensboro Convention Center, the Kentucky Legend Pier overlooks the scenic Ohio River and is a popular venue for weddings, receptions, live music performances and other events.

Using the pier’s surface as his canvas, Kizer will spend six to ten days, depending on the weather, to create an original artwork that will measure more than 2,000 square feet—roughly equal to the floor plan of of an average-sized American house. Kizer has previously created large-scale paintings for the Univeristy of Kentucky, Jim Beam, Nike and N.A.S.A.

“We’re thrilled to donate this artwork to the city of Owensboro,” says Brooklyn Maple, Brand Director for Kentucky Legend. “This project has been very exciting, and we’re grateful to the Owensboro Convention Center and Aaron Kizer for this opportunity to do something out of the ordinary for Kentucky Legend.”

“We absolutely love our partnership with Kentucky Legend these past few years with both the Kentucky Legend Café and the Kentucky Legend Pier. We look forward to working with them on more creative activations and events in the future.” says Laura Alexander, General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center.

Kizer’s painting, which will replace the Kentucky Legend logo previously displayed on the pier, will feature his trademark street-art style with bold color choices and dynamic brushstrokes.

“I was born and raised in Owensboro. I find inspiration, joy and love here. I’m honored and proud that Kentucky Legend and the city has given me an opportunity for my work to become a part of Owensboro. My goal is to attempt to make the city, Kentucky Legend and the people of Owensboro proud of what they have played such a huge role in cultivating.” says Aaron Kizer.

The “Mom on the Run” Talks Back to School Meal Prep

It’s that time of year again.

Just when you got used to summer’s relaxed pace, the rise and grind of your kids’ school routine is back with a vengeance. From getting the kids out the door on time in the morning, to after-school activities like sports and choir practices, the to-do list in your head seems never-ending.

Thankfully, Colleen Burns is here to help.

Having raised six (hungry!) boys of her own, Colleen knows a thing or two about being a “Mom on the Run.” She especially knows how to whip together a quick and delicious meal that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Parents with kids of all ages will enjoy hearing Colleen share her favorite brands for simplifying meal prep.

Colleen especially likes the fact that Kentucky Legend’s ham and turkey come pre-cooked and pre-sliced, making for easy, grab-and-go DIY “sandwich bars” for after-school snacks or weeknight dinners.

Watch a recap of the Mom-on-the-Run’s advice below.

Colleen Burns, aka the “Mom on the Run,” has a psychology degree, a background in childhood education and the real-life experience of raising six sons. A former national and local TV journalist, Colleen shares tips on parenting, travel, looking and feeling good.

Always on the lookout for the most successful mom and kid-friendly brands, Colleen loves to help families get the most from their lives, while saving time and money. She regularly appears on Lifetime, the CW Network and network affiliates in New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Chicago, Miami and elsewhere.

 

Chef Duran’s Favorite Holiday Glaze

Only one thing can make the flavor and juiciness of a Kentucky Legend ham even better—an amazing sweet-savory glaze recipe by celebrity chef George Duran.

Watch the clip of Fox & Friends from 12/24/18 to see Chef Duran teach the Fox crew how to perfectly glaze a Kentucky Legend ham using his favorite glaze recipe.

Chef Duran also reveals a Mac N’ Cheese recipe that features Kentucky Legend Artisan Crafted Series Sausages.

Chef Duran’s cooking credits include hosting his Food Network show Ham on the Streets and more recently TLC’s Ultimate Cake Off. He’s also the author of Take This Dish and Twist It.

His favorite ham is Kentucky Legend’s Sliced Glazin’ Ham.

 

‘Fore’ Charity

This year marked the 3rd Annual St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter Golf Scramble, presented by Kentucky Legend. St. Benedict’s is committed to assisting displaced men in their time of need by providing them with a safe, Christian-based environment. For more information about St. Benedict’s, please visit: http://stbenedictsowensboro.org.

Oink for Owensboro 2018 Charity Project

 

Kentucky Legend^®, a division of Specialty Foods Group, LLC, is pleased to announce the launch of a new community project entitled, “Oink for Owensboro” and is already ignited throughout the community.

The project has been designed to generate financial support for charities while bringing the community together around the local traditions of barbecue and Kentucky Legend, the nation’s No. 1 premium boneless ham. The program is created for a non-profit organization to be elected, by a local business, to receive a $5,000 donation. Each participating business will receive, design and create a fiberglass pig sculpture and will have the option of selecting a designated area to place the sculpture in or around the downtown Owensboro area. Exhibit will begin on May 1, 2018 and run until October 31, 2018.

“It is fulfilling to watch all of the hard work and planning finally come to fruition,” says Brooklyn Maple, Director of Marketing for Kentucky Legend. “This all started as an idea two years ago and has now blossomed into this large community effort, generating $60,000 for our local charities. Kentucky Legend^® could not be more thrilled for each of the generous businesses that rallied behind us for this innovative concept. We express much gratitude to Tim Ross, Director of Public Events, City of Owensboro, for the endless amount of support on this project. We look forward to continuing this  project in the years to come.”

Art Consultant, Austin Casebolt, states, “The Oink for Owensboro project is a collaborative art piece that is as unique as it is philanthropic. Artists from all over the area are working on sculptures that display the generosity and camaraderie of our community. It has been a blessing to be able to work with Kentucky Legend, the City of Owensboro, and some of our signature industries on this statement of community pride.”

Contributing businesses to the 2018 Oink for Owensboro Charity Project include: Kentucky Legend, International BBQ Festival, The Pearl Club, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Oz Tyler Distillery, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline Inc., Old National Bank, Independence Bank, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Greenwell Chisholm, Mayor Tom Watson and Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Waterfront.

The non-profit organizations that will benefit from the project include Puzzle Pieces Inc., Green River Area Down Syndrome Association, Boulware Mission Inc., Alzheimer’s Association, Dream Rider’s of Kentucky Inc., Fresh Start for Women, Crossroads Inc., Owensboro Museum of Science and History, American Association of University Women, Oasis Inc., RiverPark Center, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and the Daniel Pitino Shelter.

The 2018 Oink for Owensboro Pigs can be found at the following locations:

“Penny Bank”	Planter Area of Owensboro Convention Center
“Henry”	Corner of Veteran’s Boulevard & Daviess Street
“Wesleyham” Strong  “Sweeet Success Is The “Weslean” Way!	Front Lawn of Daviess County Courthouse
“Sowcretariat”	Corner of Veteran’s Boulevard
“Alexander ‘Ham’ilton”	Inside of Independence Bank
“Bacontoven”	Inside of Owensboro Symphony Orchestra
“Smoke”	Inside of Convention & Visitors Bureau
“Estes”	City Hall
“HAMpton”	Outside of Hampton Inn – Downtown Owensboro
“Honey”	Along 4th Street
“Tony”	Grass Lawn – West of Concession Stands (within Smothers Park)
“Hog Wild”	Along the Riverfront/Behind the Hampton Inn

 

If interested in reserving an Oink for Owensboro pig in 2019, please contact Kentucky Legend via email at marketingteam@kentuckylegend.com.

Kentucky Legend Revitalizes Owensboro

Every act of kindness and giving counts, regardless of its purpose, and when one person gives their time or contribution, the act itself is very powerful. Now, to imagine what an entire group can do!

As part of our ongoing mission to contribute to our community, Kentucky Legend, and other local businesses, rallied together on June 9, 2018 to revitalize Puzzle Pieces, Inc. in order to create a safe environment and promote life fundamentals for those living with special needs.

Volunteers focused on the four categories:

–          Demolition

–          Painting

–          Furniture

–          Cleaning

To learn more on how you can contribute to Puzzle Pieces, please visit their website at http://www.puzzle-pieces.org.

 

Fighting Hunger in the Tristate

OWENSBORO, March 18, 2018 – Kentucky Legend^®, a division of Specialty Foods Group, LLC, have spearheaded their continuous efforts to contribute to the tristate area with providing hunger relief through their “Buy a Ham, Feed a Fam” program.

The program has been designed to provide each of their accounts 5% of their incremental sales in Kentucky Legend hams to donate to their favorite cause or non-profit organization throughout the Easter holiday season.

“Our core values rest on our commitment to give back to our communities,” says Ric Herrera, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Kentucky Legend. “In our line of business, we often tend to see the persistent fight on hunger and strive to promote awareness and continuous support in a means to overcome this battle.”

The business hosted a small gathering and was joined by representatives from Sureway/Market Place to donate approximately 700 lbs. of ham along with $1,000 in other goods to Breaking Bread Ministries. The event took place from 11:00am-1:00pm this past Saturday at 275 West Center Street in Madisonville.

Mike Paulsen, District Manager of Food Giant Kentucky Division states, “We, at Sureway/Market Place, have always strived to be active in our community and feel honored to be able to support such a worthy cause. Market Place has been supporting Breaking Bread since 2012 and will continue to be involved in this great service to our area.”

Exploration Station is On a Roll

Exploration Station is making a difference!

Exploration Station was developed during the spring of 2016 at the behest of DCPS elementary school principals to help address “Summer Slide”. Summer Slide is the loss of learning that takes place during breaks from academic activity.

Specialty Foods Group is a proud sponsor of Exploration Station. Since it began operation more than 325 children per week have utilized educational services on the bus. While each site offers different services based upon student educational needs, most neighborhood visits feature some combination of reading and literacy skills, math skills and games, science

experiments, physical activities and arts and crafts. In addition to academic resources, students at most sites are also provided with a nutritious lunch through the DCPS Summer Feeding Program.

Check out this short video and see what happens when you pack a whole lot of fun learning experiences into one big bus. We call it the Exploration Station.

Mutton Glutton Challenge World Record

Kentucky Legend Sponsors First Ever Mutton Eating Contest

The best eaters from around the world gathered at 2017 Int’l BBQ Festival Mutton Glutton Slider Challenge. The rules, eat as many sliders as possible in 10 minutes. The purse, $4000. Who wouldn’t want to chow down some mutton sliders for that prize money? Joey Chestnut, the current #1 ranked competitive eater, sure did. Scarfing down 55 mutton sliders in the allotted time, Joey Chestnut not only won, he set a world record.