NEW ZEALAND’S TOP BUTCHERS ANNOUNCED
You can download photos of the winning butchers here.
The results are now in from the National Butchery Awards which took place today at the Due Drop Events Centre, in Auckland.
Brad Gillespie from New World Rototuna in Hamilton has won the prestigious Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year title and Rhys Tamanui from Waipawa Butchery in Hawkes Bay was crowned ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year. The Black Gloves – a team made up of butchers from Australia – claimed victory at the Pure South Master Butcher Teams’ Challenge.
Brad says he is beside himself with his win. “The talent was outstanding today and to take out the win is just amazing. I am always keen to do my business proud so to finally tick off winning the Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year is incredible.”
Finalists were chosen from four regional competitions held during September in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, involving over 40 competitors. The final six included wild card entries in each category and with knives sharpened and bandsaws humming, competitors put on a spectacular battle of the butchers while friends and family looked on.
The two-hour cutting test required competitors to put their technical and creative skills to the test and showcase their expertise in front of a team of eight judges. Both the Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year competitors and the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentices put their boning, trimming, slicing and dicing skills to the test as they broke down a size 20 chicken, a full pork loin, beef rump, a leg of lamb and a mystery cut of Canadian beef T-Bone into a display of value-added products.
In addition to this, the apprentices were also expected to complete a multiple-choice exam and an interview with the judges, as part of their road to glory.
The ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice category provides an invaluable opportunity for those just starting out in the industry.
First time entrant, Rhys Tamanui says it feels surreal and the win hasn’t quite sunk in yet.
“I went into the regional competition thinking I’d give it a go and see what happens, and surprisingly won that and now I’ve won the national title and couldn’t be happier.”
Head Judge Peter Martin who is the Butchery Training Advisor at Skills4Work in Auckland, says this year’s competition was the most skilful and close contest he has seen.
“Having judged the regionals back in September I saw a very high standard of work from all the entrants”, says Peter. “To take out the national title tonight competitors really needed to be exceptional, and that is exactly what we saw.
“Thanks must also be given to the industry for their support in making the competition happen which shines a light on the talented butchers we have here in New Zealand. It is also wonderful to see the support from whanau, friends and workplaces which goes a long way in getting the competitors to this level.”
At the other end of the spectrum was the Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge which saw five teams of three qualified master butchers showcase their finely tuned craft with two hours to break down a whole lamb and a beef hindquarter.
The teams’ challenge is a chance for the masters of the industry to throw around a bit of butcher banter and put their teamwork to the test, as they worked together to create the most elaborate display. The popularity for the teams’ challenge has spread across the Tasman, and this year there was an Australian contingency joining the Kiwi teams.
In a close competition, the Black Gloves from Australia, claimed victory with their polished display. Team Captain ,Craig Munro said “there’s always a bit of rivalry between Australia and New Zealand and it’s amazing to be welcomed to the competition and to come away with the win on the night is just fantastic.”
Alongside industry and peer recognition, the Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year and the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year will receive a coveted trophy and an all-expenses paid trip to the next World Butchers’ Challenge in 2024 with the opportunity to represent New Zealand in the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand team.
The winning Pure South Master Butcher team will receive the inaugural competition trophy plus $1200 for the team and a knife set each.
The competition is proudly sponsored by Pure South, Pact Packaging, ANZCO Foods, Dunninghams, Hellers, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Skills4Work, Tegel, Wilson Hellaby, Anago, Cabernet Foods, NZ Pork, and Victorinox.
-ENDS-
For more information please contact:
Lisa Moloney
Retail Meat New Zealand
lisa@rmnz.co.nz / 027 632 1644
Caroline Peach
Retail Meat New Zealand
caroline@rmnz.co.nz /021 050 0213
#nztopbutcher
COMPETITION PLACINGS:
Winner
Runner Up
Pact Packaging
Young Butcher of the Year
Brad Gillespie
New World, Rototuna
Hamilton
Jeremy Garth
Corey’s Master Butcher
Christchurch
ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year
Rhys Tamanui
Waipawa Butchery
Hawkes Bay
Anton Rameka
New World Regent
Whangarei
Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge
Black Gloves, NSW
Craig Munro
Brett Laws
Garreth Gorringe
The Cowboys, Auckland
James Smith
Craig Haze
Charles Compston
Beef + Lamb New Zealand ‘Best Beef Product’
Luka Young, PAK’nSAVE Kaitaia
NZ Pork
‘Best Pork Product’
Jeremy Garth, Corey’s Master Butchers, Christchurch
Tegel Foods
‘Best Chicken Product’
Sam Chapman, New World Prestons, Christchurch
Cabernet Foods
‘Cleanest Bones’
Michael Irving, Warkworth Butchery
Skills4Work
‘Emerging Talent’
Sam Chapman
New World Prestons
Christchurch
ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice Finalists:
Sam Chapman - New World Prestons, Christchurch
Dallas Prince - Wholly Cow Butchery, Cambridge
Anton Rameka - New World Regent, Whangarei
Capri Woods - Fresh Choice Cromwell, Cromwell
Rhys Tamanui - Waipawa Butchery, Hawkes Bays
Michael Irving – Warkworth Butchery, Auckland
Pact Packaging Young Butcher Finalists:
Brad Gillespie - New World Rototuna, Hamilton
Jeremy Garth - Corey’s Master Butchers, Christchurch
Luka Young - PAK’nSAVE Kaitaia, Northland
Justin Hinchco - Foodstuffs North Island, Hastings
Bryce Gyde – New World Orewa, Auckland
Luke Andrews – Wholly Cow, Cambridge
Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge:
EARTH, WIND & FIRE – Hellers Sharp Blacks Team
Reuben Sharples – Aussie Butcher New Lynn
Dan Klink – Mangawhai Meat Shop
Corey White – A Lady Butcher
BLACK GLOVES – Australian Steelers Team
Craig Munro – Muro’s Quality Meats
Garreth Gorringe – The Meat Boutique
Brett Laws – Pryde Meats Narellan
NO EGOS AMIGOS
David Parsons – Mad Butcher Mt Roskill
Gary Thompson – The Squealing Pig - AUS
Mitchell Stone – Frohlies Meats – AUS
NORTHERN GENTLEMEN’S CLUB
Lua MacDonald – Fresh Choice Mangere Bridge
Jared Bostock – Fresh Choice Mangere Bridge
Filipo Taliu – PAK’nSAVE Lower Hutt
THE COWBOYS
James Smith – The Tattooed Butcher
Craig Haize – Franklin Country Meats
Charles Compston – Franklin Country Meats
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Pact Packaging Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year is a prestigious event well regarded by the retail meat trade with the titles highly sought after. The competition has been running for over two decades and begins with regional competitions where entrants showcase their knife skills during a practical cutting test. The Pact Packaging Young Butcher category of the competition is open to fully qualified butchers aged 35 years and under, those who are currently completing an apprenticeship fall under the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice category.
There are six finalists in each category at the grand final. The first four are the winners from each of the regionals. The remaining finalists are taken from the overall top marks across the nation, as wild card finalists.
The Pure South Master Butcher Teams’ Challenge now in its second year, sees our masters of the trade not only putting their knife skills to the test but also their team skills. This competition is reserved for those who have great skill and proficiency in the craft of butchery, giving our teams a really challenging playing field in the search to find the country’s top team of master butchers. There are five teams of three qualified butchers, doing a two-hour cutting test, breaking down a whole lamb and beef hindquarter which will be hanging from meat stands. There are few rules on the display with this competition and teams are encouraged to be creative and elaborate with their displays.
This teams’ challenge does not have a regional component and is run in conjunction with the Pact Packaging Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year Grand Final.