Tag Archives: butchers

Pure South on board for butchery tri-nations

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Sharp BlacksAlliance Group’s export brand Pure South has been confirmed as principal sponsor of the annual butchery test match which will now be known as the Pure South Butchery Tri-Nations.

The competition will see the best British and Australian butchers travel to Wanaka in March to take on New Zealand’s Wedderburn Sharp Blacks.

Murray Brown, general manager, marketing, Alliance Group, said it was fitting that a strong and successful export meat brand in Europe and Asia was backing a world-class competition.

“We’re pleased Pure South is supporting some of the world’s top butchers as they battle it out for the top honours. After a decade representing Alliance Group’s lamb in more than 65 countries world-wide, Pure South is now well-established as a brand associated with outstanding quality. Millions of consumer look for Pure South whenever their shopping or dining. It symbolises all the key elements of Alliance Group – pure southern location, world-class technology, production techniques and a proud heritage.”

2013 will be the inaugural Tri-Nations, following on from two years of Trans-Tasman battles between New Zealand and Australia.

Australia has come out the victor of both previous encounters by the narrowest of margins, so the Wedderburn Sharp Blacks, sponsored by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, will be looking for redemption on their home turf next year.

The competition will be accompanied by a study tour which will see 60 butchers from across the three nations travelling the Central Otago region.

New Zealand’s top sausage for 2012 is …

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New Zealand’s top sausage for 2012 is a Smoked Kielbasa from Wellington’s legendary Island Bay and Strathmore Butcheries.

The 2012 Devro New Zealand Sausage Competition ran over three days last week, with the Supreme Award and People’s Choice Award winners being decided on Friday night.

From 450 sausages only one can reign supreme, however, and that went to the Smoked Kielbasa. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded a swell but only the best of the best made it to the Supreme judging round.

Don Andrew, owner of Island Bay and Strathmore Butcheries says he’s overwhelmed by the win. “More than anything I want to thank all our loyal customers for their support. To win this award is the ultimate prize in the craft of sausage making,” he said, encouraging butchers to keep on entering.

The People’s Choice Award was won by Franklin  Country Meats with a Smoked Paprika and Cheese Sausage.

The competition, which has been running since 1994, is proudly supported by Devro and Kerry Ingredients.

 

 

Fresh meat for Wedderburn Sharp Blacks

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Six of New Zealand’s best butchers have been chosen to represent New Zealand in the 2013 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks team.

After a battle between the four remaining 2012 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks and six new challengers the best butchers overall were chosen.

The result was two new additions to the team, with all those from 2012 maintaining their positions. The 2013 team is: Paddy Kennedy, Allenton Meat Centre, Ashburton; Peter Martin, Mad Butcher Onehunga, Auckland; Peter Tuapawa, Victoria Park New World, Auckland; David Timbs, Peter Timbs Meats, Christchurch; Bruce van der Nett, Pak’nSave, Taupo; and Corey Winder, Ashby’s Fine Meats & Deli, Christchurch.

The Sharp Blacks compete annually and after two years of trans-Tasman rivalry, the new team will be competing in the first tri-nation competition  – New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain – in 2013.

Newcomers to the competition, Britain, will be raising the stakes making the 2013 test match the most competitive yet.

Competition organiser Kim Doran, from Retail Meat New Zealand, says with Britain entering the mix the competition has reached new heights for the industry.

“The test has become a highly anticipated event on the industry calendar and with the new addition of Britain things will only become more exciting.”

Building these international relationships can only be a good thing for the New Zealand meat industry,” says Doran.

Earlier this year, the current team lost by only a fraction to Australia which means the new team will be looking for redemption in 2013.

The 2013 tri-nation match will be held in Wanaka on 9 March.

Battle of the butchers begins

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Abigail Smith

Young New Zealand butchers across the country have begun sharpening their knives in anticipation of the 2012 Alto Young Butcher and Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation (RMITO) Butcher Apprentice of the year competition.

Current RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year, Abigail Smith, has her sights set on the Young Butcher title after her success in the apprentice category last year.

“Last year’s win set the standard for me and only makes me eager to push myself to the limit this year and take home the big title,” says Abigail.

Entries are now open to the competition, which kicks off with a series of regional heats across New Zealand over the month of July.

The winners of each regional will go on to compete in the Grand Final, to be held on 24 August at the Viaduct Event Centre in Auckland.

During the Grand Final, the young butchers will be put through a practical exam, interview, cutting test and mystery on-stage element to determine who will walk away with the prestigious title and the prize of a study tour to Europe.

The RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year will win a study tour to Australia.

The competition is proudly supported by Alto, RMITO, Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc., Dunninghams, Hellers, Kerry Ingredients, NZ Pork, Wilson Hellaby, Cabernet Foods, Natural Farm and Tegel Foods.

 

Wedderburn Sharp Blacks look for title

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The 2012 Wedderburn Sharp Blacks

New Zealand’s top five butchers are preparing for the rematch they’ve waited 12 months for.

The Wedderburn Sharp Blacks are seeking redemption after a narrow loss to Australia in the inaugural Trans Tasman Test Match last year.

Retail Meat New Zealand Manager, Fiona Greig, says the team is rearing to go after being beaten last year.

“The team is already hard at work preparing for the test match. They were gutted after last year’s loss and can’t wait to get the trophy back,” says Greig.

The next outing for the team will be a warm up at the Retail Meat New Zealand conference in March, where their peers from around the country will offer critique and ideas, before the test match in Melbourne versus the Australian team.

This year, Wedderburn are also backing the team. Wedderburn marketing manager – Australasia, Brenda Davenport says, “We are proud of our growing association with Retail Meat New Zealand, and grateful for the opportunity to sponsor this skilled team of butchers.

“Not only does it provide us the chance to support an industry we hold in high regard, but it also allows butchers hands on experience of our full range of meat processing equipment.  Go the Wedderburn Sharp Blacks!”

The team, also supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc, is made up of:

  • Peter Martin, Mad Butcher Onehunga, Auckland;
  • Calum Sutherland, West End New World, Rotorua;
  • Bruce van der Nett, Henderson Pak n Save, Auckland;
  • Marcus Waldman, Mad Butcher Palmerston North; and
  • Corey Winder, Ashby’s Butchery, Christchurch.