Two Canterbury Lady Butchers On Their Way to Grand Final

Butchers from across the upper South Island looked sharp and set about cutting their way through a two-hour competition over the weekend in the regional stages of the 2021 Pact Packaging Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition.

Samantha Weller from PAKN’nSAVE  Rangiora placed first in the Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year category and Maria Pio, also from PAK’nSAVE Rangiora claimed first spot in the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year category.  

Saturday’s competition held at Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch was the fifth and final heat in a national series to find New Zealand’s top butchers to compete in a grand final showdown in August. The upper 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.

Samantha is no stranger to competitions and says she is absolutely delighted with her win.

“I am ecstatic, but also relieved that it’s over and I have secured a place in the grand final,” she says.  “I want the grand title so badly - it has been my goal since I started competing and is my biggest goal for this year.”

27-year-old Samantha attributes her win to many hours of practice, mental preparation and changing up her display from previous years.

“This year I brought a different level of skill and creativity to the competition.  I changed up my seasonings and cuts so that my display was different.  In particular I love my pastry products - I think they bring a bit of class and uniqueness to my display.”

Samantha has been a qualified butcher now for three years and says her biggest inspiration is Auckland-based Hannah Miller Childs a.k.a A Lady Butcher, whom she admires for her craft.  It’s not surprising that female butchers are making their mark on what is a traditionally male dominated industry with a record number of females taking up apprenticeships this year.

Maria is in her third year as an apprentice and attributes her success to the support and mentors she has had during this time.

“I feel very proud of what I have achieved in my career so far,” she says.  “I am so happy to have an amazing team behind me to support me.”

Maria thinks her creativity is what set her apart and helped her win on the day.

“I like to play around with flavours and ingredients and to look at the meat and bring ideas from different cultures into my display.”

Samantha and Maria will now continue on to the grand final, on Tuesday 3rd August at the Vodafone Event Centre 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 who is the Butchery Training Advisor at Skills4Work in Auckland, is really looking forward to this year’s competition.

“I am a strong advocate for these competitions and the best part as a judge is seeing the opportunities for young people in our trade to showcase their skills at competition level,” says Peter.

Last year with Covid there were restrictions on viewing the competition, and Peter thinks it will be really exciting this year to welcome back spectators to watch the competition close up.

“I know competitors will be delighted to showcase their skills in front of their peers, families and friends - it’s going to be an exciting atmosphere at the final this year,” he says.

Peter also hopes the young butchers and apprentices will take advantage of the mentoring programme on offer again this year.

“The mentoring programme was such a success last year, whether it was just talking through ideas and timings or talking about the pressure of being watched - any advice is welcome and will benefit each competitor,” says Peter.

Alongside industry and peer recognition, the winning Pact Packaging Young Butcher receives a coveted trophy plus the choice of either an all-expenses paid butchery study tour or a $4,000 cash prize. The ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year also receives a coveted trophy plus the choice of either an all-expenses paid butchery study tour or a $3,000 cash prize.  The butchery store they work for also receives a $1,000 cash prize. 

The competition is proudly sponsored by Pact Packaging, ANZCO Foods, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Competenz, Dunninghams, Hellers, Tegel, Wilson Hellaby, Victorinox, Cabernet Foods and NZ Pork.

DETAILS FOR THE GRAND FINAL:

Grand Final

3rd August 2021

Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, Auckland