World Butchers’ Challenge heading to California for 2020
The World Butchers’ Challenge will make a return for 2020 with 15 teams competing from across the globe, and will be hosted this time in Sacramento, California, USA.
The competition last took place earlier this year and Ireland took home the winning trophy. It was hosted in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and featured 12 competing teams – including Team GB (The British Beefeaters).
World Butchers’ Challenge – March, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. From left to right: John Fink, Paul Carras, Danny Johnson, Craig Deihl, Bryan Butler, and Lothar Erbe.
The concept of the World Butchers’ Challenge is to develop an environment where butchers strive to exceed current industry practice in the areas of general workmanship, meat cutting, displaying and the creative usage of beef, lamb, pork and chicken products.
The competition itself is conducted over a three hour and 15 minute period, with competing teams given a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens which they must then transform into a themed display of value-added products.
Teams are allowed to provide their own seasonings, spices, marinades and garnish to finish products that are designed to inspire and push the boundaries, yet which are also cookable and would sell in a retail setting.
Independent judges score each team based on technique and skill, workmanship, product innovation, overall finish and presentation.
Chairman of the World Butchers’ Challenge Council, Rod Slater from New Zealand says he can’t quite believe the following the competition has attracted and the opportunity it now presents for butchers on a global scale.
The planning committee for the 2020 World Butchers’ Challenge are considering August – September 2020 as the date for hosting the competition which will begin with a study tour of Sacramento.
Any butchers who wish to enquire about joining an existing team or entering a team from a new nation, can click here.
Additional prizes will also be awarded by the judges in the following categories: Best Pork Product, Best Lamb Product, Best Beef Product, Best Poultry Product, Best Beef Sausage, Best Pork Sausage and Best Gourmet Sausage.
“We’re thrilled that the World Butchers’ Challenge has set its sights on Sacramento for its 2020 competition,” says Visit Sacramento president & CEO Mike Testa.
“Our region’s thriving food scene and focus on fresh and local cuisine align strongly with such a prestigious event, and we look forward to working with the World Butchers’ Challenge team over the coming months to explore the possibilities in Sacramento.”
Running alongside the challenge is a World Champion Young Butcher and Apprentice Competition.
Entrants for the Apprentice challenge must still be enrolled into training with a registered training provider as of 1st March 2019. Age is not a factor.
Entrants for the Young Butcher challenge must be under the age of 31 as of 1st March 2019.
For more information on the Young Butcher challenge, click here.
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