Rumson Restaurant Hosts Beef & Bourbon Dinner To Aid Kentucky

RUMSON, NJ — Monmouth County chef David Burke wants to help out the American families devastated this December by tornadoes in Western Kentucky — particularly because that region of Kentucky is where he sources his Bluegrass F1 Wagyu beef.

In fact, Burke said some of the Kentucky cattle ranchers he does business with, or their families, were personally impacted by the tornadoes, which hit Dec. 10 and Dec. 11.

That's why on Jan. 13 Burke is hosting simultaneous Beef & Bourbon Kentucky-themed dinners at nine of his restaurants in New Jersey, New York and North Carolina. Proceeds from the dinners will benefit the Team Western Kentucky Relief Fund.

These three-course $150-per-person meal will showcase two of Kentucky’s most famous export: Bourbon cocktails from Woodford Reserve Distillery and the Bluegrass F1 Wagyu beef.

One third ($50) of each ticket sale will be donated to the fund, the goal being to raise more than $30,000.

“Taking care of people during a crisis is what we do in the hospitality industry; it’s the right thing to do," said Burke. "Now we’re embracing the people of Kentucky, where our Bluegrass F1 Wagyu beef partners are located. They’ve got family members who have been severely affected by the tornadoes; it's our honor to do what we can to help."

“It's been humbling to see the many people around the United States who have reached out to help those impacted by these devastating tornadoes," said Chris Morris, the master distiller at Woodford Reserve.

The Team Western Kentucky Relief Fund was established by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to aid tornado victims. At least 76 people were killed in the December tornadoes, and homes, properties and businesses were leveled to the ground.

At a select few of his restaurants, particularly Red Horse in Rumson, Burke serves the small batch-raised, Kentucky grass-and-grains-fed full-blooded Wagyu and Black Angus hybrid meat.

Burke unequivocally states "this is the best beef he has ever tasted."

At the dinners, Burke will also serve Kentucky-associated libations as mint juleps and bourbon balls. Also served will be Burke’s signature lobster dumplings and clothesline maple pepper bacon and chocolate bourbon bread pudding. A proprietary Cabernet, Carménère, Sirah and Malbec blend will be served from Burke’s new Red Horse label.

In New Jersey, Burke owns and operates the following restaurants:

• 1776 by David Burke in Morristown
• DRIFTHOUSE by David Burke in Sea Bright. (The oceanfront restaurant closes annually for a two-week winter recess, reopening Jan 25. They are not hosting the special Beef & Bourbon dinner due to the winter break.)
• Orchard Park by David Burke in East Brunswick
• Red Horse by David Burke in Rumson
• Son Cubano in West New York
• VENTANAS in Fort Lee

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