RAISE A CHOP AND CELEBRATE NATIONAL LAMB DAY THIS FEBRUARY
The Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chefs are getting ready to ‘raise a chop’ and celebrate National Lamb Day.
To mark National Lamb Day, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is calling chefs and restauranteurs across the country to celebrate our grass-fed lamb for the month of February, by showcasing a New Zealand lamb dish on their menu. This annual occasion not only highlights the exceptional quality of New Zealand lamb but also commemorates a defining moment in our nation’s history, February 15th, 1882, when the first shipment of frozen lamb was exported.
From humble beginnings, New Zealand lamb has become a symbol of our nation’s innovation, sustainability, and dedication to taste and quality.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand are inviting everyone to raise a chop this National Lamb Day. This day is not just about delicious food – it’s about celebrating our heritage and supporting the chefs and farmers who make New Zealand lamb a global icon.
““New Zealand lamb is such a great product, and people come here from all over the world to enjoy it. It holds a significant place on our menu and always will.””
Rolled lamb saddle and lamb bon bon by Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef, Cameron Davies.
WHAT IS NATIONAL LAMB DAY?
National Lamb Day marks the anniversary of the departure of the Dunedin from Port Chalmers in 1882 with the first frozen shipment of New Zealand lamb to London - a milestone that put the New Zealand food story on the global map. This pioneering achievement paved the way for our country’s reputation as a world-class producer of lamb, which continues to play a vital role in our culinary identity today.
HOW CAN CHEFS AND RESTAURATeURS GET INVOLVED?
Beef + Lamb New Zealand are encouraging chefs nationwide to showcase their finest lamb dishes.
Send in a photo and dish description of the lamb dish on your menu to go on the National Lamb Day dining directory. This directory will be promoted across our digital channels to entice kiwis to dine out and eat delicious New Zealand lamb during the month of February.
NATIONAL LAMB DAY TOOLKIT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA:
Check out the digital assets which you can download to promote National Lamb Day throughout the month of February. These assets are designed to use on social media and a table talker which is printable if you would like to use it in your restaurant.
National Lamb Day is proudly led by Ag Proud and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, with leading rural insurer FMG and specialist food and agribusiness bank Rabobank joining as principal partners for 2025.