WORLD BUTCHER CHALLENGE 2020
Monday, September 30, 2019"The Greatest Butchery Event on Earth"
~WORLD BUTCHERS' CHALLENGE
A little while back I entered a competition. I had to post photos and videos of different cuts of meat, skills and techniques. I nervously waited to hear back. I really wanted to make the team!
Well, guess what, I totally made the team! Heck yes! Team Canada at the World Butcher Challenge......
So you are thinking, what is the World Butcher Challenge?
The competition itself is conducted over a three hour and fifteen minute period with competing teams given a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens which they must then transform into a themed display of value-added products. Teams are allowed to provide their own seasonings, spices, marinades and garnish to finish products that are designed to inspire and push the boundaries, yet which are also cookable and would sell in a retail setting. Independent judges score each team based on technique & skill, workmanship, product innovation, overall finish and presentation.
Now you're thinking, how on earth did we get a World Butcher Challenge anyway?
In 2011, a butchery competition between New Zealand and Australia, named the Trans-Tasman Test Match, was established. Both countries nominated a team of their six best butchers, called the Pure South Sharp Blacks and the Australian Steelers respectively, and each were given three hours to break down a side of beef and a lamb into a themed display of value-added cuts.
The inaugural competition was held in New Zealand, with the Australian team taking home the first title. The following year, the competition moved to Melbourne, Australia, with the host country once again taking home the title of the best butchers in Australasia.
Year after year, more teams joined the competition with 2020 hosting 16 teams from around the globe.
Who is on Team Canada?
Aaron McLaughlin (Didsbury, AB) – Old’s CollegeBrent Herrington (Port Perry, ON) – Herrington’s Quality Butchers
Corey Meyer (Edmonton, AB) – ACME Meat Market
Damian Goriup (Oakville, ON) – Florence Meats
Dave Vander Velde – (Stoney Creek, ON) – VG Meats
Elyse Chatterton (Edmonton, AB)- Freelance Butcher
Peter Baarda (Burlington, ON) – J&G Quality Meats
Taryn Lee Barker (Port Moody, BC) – The Little Butcher
I can't even begin to tell you how surreal it all is. Team flipping Canada! The competition is a year away but there is a lot to do in the next 12 months. Training, planning, practicing and a bit more training. One of the main issues we face as a team is the distance between us all. Canada is a rather large place! To ensure we go show the World just how great Team Canada is, we need a little help along the way. Please check out our Go Fund me page. No matter how big or small, every dollar puts us one step closer to bringing that trophy home! Go Fund Me
Myself and Corey did a little interview on CTV News- check it out here
I am so looking forward to sharing the road to Sacramento 2020! Its going to be a wild ride!
Team Canada!!! Oh yes!
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