Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Women of Waikato Announced Best Young Butchers

Women of Waikato Announced Best Young Butchers

In the fourth leg of the 2015 Alto Young Butcher and Competenz Butcher Apprentice of the Year regional finals, the best young butchers of the Waikato have been announced, and the female entrants have come out on top.
Alana Empson from New World Hillcrest was the winner of the Alto Young Butcher category, while Amanda Naughton from PAK’n’SAVE Clarence Street topped the Competenz Butcher Apprentice category.

In a competitive cutting test, entrants were expected to turn a beef rump, pork loin and a size 20 chicken into a display of value-added cuts in a time allowance of just two hours.

They also sat a written exam and were interviewed by judges to test their communication skills and knowledge of the trade.

Alana, once a check out operator, fell into butchery after losing a bet to their butchery manager and found herself signing up to a butchery apprenticeship.

Alana says her gender gives her an advantage in the competition.

“I’m a girl and so we tend to be more into the finer details. We’re more picky and pedantic,” she says.

Amanda, a recently qualified butcher, was lured into the industry by the creativity in what you can produce. She enjoys being able to incorporate her personality into her work, and like Alana, thinks being a female gives her competitive advantage.

“In the competition I think my point of difference is the fact that I’m a female and I have added a lot of girly touches to my display,” says Amanda.

With the Grand Final on September 10 at Shed 10 in Auckland, Amanda and Alana now prepare to compete against finalists from four other regions for an international butchery study tour.

The competition is supported by Alto Packaging, Competenz, Alliance Group, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Cabernet Foods, Dunninghams, Hellers, Kerry Ingredients, New Zealand Pork, Wilson Hellaby and Tegel.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.