25 July 2011

The top Young Butcher and Butcher Apprentice from the Auckland region have been uncovered during the regional final of the 2011 Alto Young Butcher and RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year competitions.

Peter Leach of Victoria Park New World took out first place in the Young Butcher section and Alesha Ross from Nosh in Matakana came second.

Abigail Smith from Pak n Save Kaitaia beat out the other contenders in the Butcher Apprentice category, with Jared McLeod from Regent New World earning second place.

“The standard of competition grows each year and this year is certainly no exception,” says Keith Oddy of The Aussie Butcher and competition judge.

“I have been part of this competition since its inception so I know what I’m talking about when I say the competitors this year are some of the best butchers in the country.”

The Auckland regional, held at Wilson Hellaby on Saturday, saw 12 butcher apprentices and five young butchers compete against each other.

Abigail and Peter now go on to compete against finalists from four other regional finals around the country, for the prestigious accolades that are carried alongside the winning title.

The Young Butcher winner will also win a study tour to the UK and the Butcher Apprentice will win a study tour to Australia.

The event, which is organized by Retail Meat New Zealand, is sponsored by Alto, Retail Meat Training Organisation (RMITO), Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Dunninghams, Hellers, Kerry Ingredients, New Zealand Pork, Tegel, Wilson Hellaby and Cabernet Foods.

ENDS

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