Young Butchers Showcase Skills

Young Butchers Showcase Skills

Up and coming butchers from across the nation are preparing to compete for the coveted titles of Alto Young Butcher of the Year and RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year.

The contest, sponsored by Alto, Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation (RMITO), Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Dunninghams, Hellers, New Zealand Pork, Tegel, Wilson Hellaby, Cabernet Foods, Kerry Ingredients, Alliance and Ken Wilson Meats, kicks off with six regional contests.

Retail Meat New Zealand Manager, Fiona Greig, says the competition is a crucial part of supporting industry.

“We see great butchers come through the competition each year and it’s important we continue to support and encourage newcomers to the industry whilst also rewarding professionalism, innovation and skill.”

Entrants will complete a written exam, interview and a cutting test at the regional competitions. The regionals will be staged as follows:

9th July - Hawkes Bay, Napier or Palmerston North (dependent on entry numbers)

10th July - Wellington

12th July - Dunedin

16th July - Waikato

23rd July - Auckland and Christchurch

The regional winners in each category will then contend for the title at the Grand Final on August 16 in Auckland.

The winner of the Alto Young Butcher of the Year will be awarded a study tour to the UK, whilst an Australian study tour will be granted to the RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year.

Nominations are also open for the Christie Award, which commends a person’s lifetime achievement in the industry.

Entries for the Alto Young Butcher of the Year and the RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year close on June 17 and nominations for the Christie Award close on July 8.

ENDS

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