Center cut beef tenderloin question

[gracoman]

Steve, I'm doing Beef Wellington for Christmas this year and have a couple of questions about a center cut. I could have it done for me at Whole Foods but not only is it Whole Foods (nuff said) but they won't let me take the trimmings for a gravy. Guess they aren't making enough on the beef tenderloin and need to resell parts of the one I already bought to another customer. So I'm thinking of trimming a whole beef tenderloin myself if Costco has any on hand. I don't have many choices in here.

Firstly, is a center cut the same thing as Chateaubriand? There are online videos available illustrating how to trim for this cut and I can use them as a guide since I've not done this before.

Secondly, do you have any vid recommendations I should take a look at before making a mess of Christmas dinner?

Thirdly, I'm I making a mountain out of a mole hill? Is this as easy as it looks?

Thanks for your help on this.

[gracoman]

Forgot to ask about Prime vs Choice. I have always been under the impression that it is the amount of marbling that determines the designation but seeing how the tenderloin is pretty lean is a Prime tenderloin worth the extra $$$?

[BBQ Butcher]

For all intents and purposes the Chateuaxbriand is more of less the same as a center cut tenderloin roast. You have some choice here..........1) Cut off the first 4" of the thick end and about 6" from the small end. Now you have a center cut roast. 2) Just cut off about 8-9 inches of the small end and still have a decent roast from the bigger piece 3) after trimming just fold the whole thing in half, tie with string and you still have a roast worthy of serving (more people and more economical)

Here is a good link but sure there are many on YouTube, etc
Trimming Beef T-Loin

EASY as it looks


Save your self some money and just get the USDA Choice

[gracoman]

Awesome! Thanks! I'll buy the choice cut and try to never darken Whole Paycheck's doors again. It's unavoidable sometimes but what they wanted to do by not giving me the parts that were removed after I paid for them is criminal. Maybe that's how they pay for the butcher's trimming time but I still don't like it. I've watched the center cut process before and it didn't take that long. WF's is very proud of their meat and their tenderloins are selling for $30.00 per pound. I've found Costco's meat to be of higher quality. Much higher. And for significantly less. Good to know Amazon is keeping it's word about lowering prices there since they bought the company.

I was considering doing a pork wellington just to stay out of Whole Foods but I called my local Costco and we're good to go.