Sporting champions and Iron Maidens, Sarah Walker and Sophie Pascoe are set to judge the 2013 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Golden Lamb Awards, aka the Glammies.

Since its beginnings in 2007, the annual Glammies competition has recognised those producing quality New Zealand lamb.

The 2013 Glammies competition has drawn more than 180 entries nationwide and it is up to Walker and Pascoe to help decide the top tasting lamb.

After an initial assessment at Carne Technology in Cambridge where each entry was tested for yield, tenderness, colour and succulence, the top 20 have now progressed to the final, held at the Upper Clutha A & P show on 8 March in Wanaka.

Walker is in familiar territory after judging the 2012 Glammies entries last year.

“I really enjoyed the competition last year, this year I’m even more excited because I know I can expect delicious New Zealand lamb, and I can show Sophie the ropes” says Walker.

Sophie is equally excited to be sharing the judging table with her fellow Iron Maiden.

“I’m looking forward to really seeing why New Zealand lamb is the best in the world and sharing the experience with Sarah will make it all the better,” she says.

To help with the judging process, the Iron Maidens will be joined by food writer Lauraine Jacobs, Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef Darren Wright and head judge and chef, Graham Hawkes.

The Glammies are sponsored by Zoetis and further supported by processing plants across the country. These include: AFFCO, Alliance Group Ltd, Ashburton Meat Processors Ltd, Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby, Blue Sky Meats, Cabernet Foods/Kintyre Meats, Harris Meats, Land Meat NZ, Lean Meats, Silver Fern Farms, Taylor Preston/Ken Wilson Meats.