The new tw0-troop Wildcats will make their debut tonight at the Blue-White scrimmage at Rupp Arena — and so will the Spicy Fat Cat.
A skinless, 100-percent-beef smoked sausage infused with pepper jack cheese, the Spicy Fat Cat was developed by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association in cooperation with the UKAgButcher Shop.
The Spicy Fat Cat will be sold at men’s basketball games — it will be at the specialty concession stand behind Section 34.
Gregg Rentfrow, meats specialist and director of the UKAg Butcher Shop worked with Dave Maples, executive director of the Cattlemen’s Association, to come up with the new sausage.
“We are delighted to embark on this new collaboration with Rupp, our valued Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and the butcher shop to create a tasty treat that will help student programs and promote Kentucky products,” said Nancy Cox, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in a UKNow news release.
Rentfrow, butcher shop manager Ryan Chaplin and Chef Zalatan Prasovic tried various recipes before deciding the Spicy Fat Cat was the way to go. Explaining the product’s name, Rentfrow noted to UKNow that the “spicy” is provided by the cheese and the “fat” from its size – a quarter pound. The “cat” is a tribute to the UK mascot.
UK opened its butcher shop in the basement of the W.P. Garrigus Building in February 2013 to give the UK community and the general public more opportunities to eat locally produced food. Interest in local foods is gaining popularity across the country.