Mark's Meats & More takes Best of Show at annual convention

Mark and Pam Hess, owners of Mark's Meats & More in Millsboro, display their Best of Show Award given at the 71st Annual Convention of the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors. The blue ribbon was awarded for Mark's venison entry, Cajun ham lunch meat.

Mark has competed in the convention for the past four years and has won several awards, but this was the first time he took top honors overall. The Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors was founded in 1939 and is composed of small and mid-sized meat business companies and their suppliers.

The event is judged by Penn State University meat lab doctors and professors. It is the largest processed product judging on the East Coast, with entries from five states.

The Hesses have been in business since 2003 processing venison and other wild game.  In 2009, they opened a retail butcher shop, making some of their unique venison recipes out of beef and pork.  Last year Mark's Meats & More attended the Milton Farmers Market and will add the Long Neck Farmers Market this year.

Mark's Meats & More is at 24910 Hollyville Road near Millsboro and can be reached at 302-933-0307. For more information go to www.marksmeatsllc.com.