Auckland Butchers win Upper North Island competition

Butchers from across the upper North Island sharpened their knives and cut their way through a two-hour competition over the weekend at Skills4Work in Manukau 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 – and under strict Level 2 restrictions - James Smith from PAK’nSAVE Pukekohe placed first in the Alto Young Butcher of the Year category and Vichith Ouk from Countdown Meat & Seafood in Otahuhu, claimed first spot in the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year category.

James Smith of PAK'nSAVE Pukekohe

Vichith Ouk, Countdown Meat & Seafood

This was the fifth and final regional competition in a national series to find New Zealand’s top butchers to compete in a Grand Final showdown in November. The upper North 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.

James has been a butcher for eleven years and is stoked with his win. He says he put in a lot of hard work and practice into the lead up to the competition.

“Practice makes perfect in my mind and I think that is what made the difference,” says James. “I focused on my butchery skills this time and with the feedback I got from the judges I know what to work on now to stand out from everyone else at the grand final.”

Vichith is in his third year as an apprentice at Countdown Meat and Seafood, where operations manager, Riki Kerekere mentored a group of young apprentices for the regional competition.

“Having Riki as a mentor helped immensely in the lead up to the competition,” says Vitchith. “Seeing his confidence in me really helped to keep calm and focus on a plan which I think got me through to the grand final.”

James and Vichith 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.

Judging apprentices: Peter Farrelly and head judge Peter Martin

Judging young butchers: Hannah Miller Childs and head judge Peter Martin

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.