Dunedin butchers scoop Lower South Island competition

Butchers from across the lower South Island sharpened their knives and cut their way through a two-hour competition in the regional stages of the 2020 Alto Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition.

It was a close call, but after a fierce competition Taylor Wyllie of New World Gardens in Dunedin placed first in the Alto Young Butcher of the Year category and Isaac Webster also from New World Gardens, claimed first spot in the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year category.

Taylor Wyllie of New World Gardens

Isaac Webster of New World Gardens

This was the second regional competition in a national series to find New Zealand’s top butchers to compete in a Grand Final showdown in November. The lower South Island contestants put their boning, trimming, slicing and dicing skills to the test as they broke down a size 20 chicken, a whole pork leg, and a beef short loin into a display of value-added products.

Taylor has been a butcher for ten years and says he loves the team environment of the industry. He also enjoys mentoring the apprentices as they come through and is delighted that his colleague Isaac has also secured a place in the final too.

“This is my fourth competition so I am stoked to finally be heading up to Auckland to compete in the final,” he says. “My strengths have improved each year - all that practice has paid off.”

Isaac has been an apprentice for two years at New World Gardens, Dunedin. This was the first time he has entered the competition and says having his butchery manager, Corey Parker as a mentor helped him immensely to get the basics right.

“Being my first competition, I wasn’t sure of my ability so it’s great to win and get some really good feedback from the judges which I can now use in preparation for the grand final,” he says.

Taylor and Isaac will now continue on to the Grand Final, on Tuesday 10th November at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland, where they will further showcase their cutting skills, creativity and knowledge of the trade against the best in the country.

Head judge Peter Martin and judge David Mitchell

Head Judge Peter Martin who is Butchery Manager of Fresh Choice in Cromwell, is a strong advocate of butchery competitions.

“I believe the gains are huge for every entrant who has had to plan, practice and come up with creative ideas in order to compete against their peers today,” he says. “It not only boosts their confidence, but helps to raise the standard in the industry”.

Peter is particularly excited about the new mentorship programme introduced to the competition this year which has helped guide and support entrants giving them the confidence to put their best knife forward on the day.

“The mentorship programme has given entrants a boost and it’s clear to see the standard of the competition has been elevated this year. The high calibre of knife skills and the quality of the final displays made it a very close competition,” he says.

Alongside industry and peer recognition, the winning Alto Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year receive a coveted trophy and a study tour.

The competition is proudly sponsored by Alto Packaging, ANZCO Foods, Pure South, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Competenz, Dunninghams, Hellers, Tegel and Wilson Hellaby.