19 September, 2022
Burpengary butcher wins silver medal at international ‘Meat Olympics’
Aussies clean up at the largest butchery event on earth
After going knife-to-knife with a record 12 other countries at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, The Makani Australian Butcher Team were awarded silver at this year's World Butchers’ Challenge, also known as the ‘Olympics of Meat’.
Team Captain of Australia, Luke Leyson said, “To be a part of the most prestigious butchery event in the world is an amazing experience in itself; but to walk away from the event with the success we had is an absolute testament to the standard of butchery in Australia.”
The Aussies’ triumph continued with Gareth Hunt (QLD), taking out second place at the World Champion Young Butcher category and Matt Tyquin (VIC), announced as the 2022 World Champion Butcher Apprentice; ensuring Australia was the only country to place in all three competitions.
The best six butchers, selected from all nations competing, were named as the All-Star Team - setting themselves apart as the ‘elite’ amongst close to 100 other butchers.
Tom Bouchier (VIC), of The Makani Australian Butcher Team was awarded the honour for his outstanding contribution to his teams display and garnishing.
Tom Bouchier said, “I’m still pinching myself. Being selected as one of the six best butchers on the day is an honour. I’ve been honing my skills in display and garnishing for years now, so it’s a real feather in my cap to make the team based on what I delivered in the competition.”
The Butcher Wolf Pack from Germany were awarded gold in the headline event - the World Butchers’ Challenge - and received the coveted Friedr. Dick Golden Knife Trophy at an awards ceremony held at Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento on Sunday 4 September.
The Hellers Sharp Blacks of New Zealand were given bronze. Each team had just over three hours to turn a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens into a themed display of value-added cuts, requiring superior carving, boning and finishing skills; whilst injecting their own creativity and innovation into their final lineup.
For more information on the competition including the full history and team bios, visit worldbutcherschallenge.com.
The Makani Australian Butcher Team is sponsored by: Makani Meats, Meat Livestock Australia, Australian Pork, Greenhams, Breakout River Meats, Riverlea, The Butchers Cellar, Victorinox, MBL Food Service, The Food Prep Group, Ace Butcher Supplies.
