Cambrian Training has launched a hunt to find the butcher who is top of the chops and a cut above the rest in Wales.
The Welsh Butcher of the Year contest sponsored by Cambrian Training will take centre stage at this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells on November 27. Entries close at 5pm on November 9.
Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, the contest is held in the Carcass Hall at the Royal Welsh Showground.
The finalists, who must work or live in Wales, will be chosen from their applications and they will face a true test of their butchery skills over three tasks.
They will be given an hour to seam a topside of Welsh Beef, 70 minutes to create kitchen ready products for customers from a mystery box of ingredients and 90 minutes to create a visually exciting barbecue display of chicken, Welsh Beef, Welsh Lamb and pork.
A panel of judges will be looking for new, creative ideas and the finalists will be scored for their cutting technique, added value, display techniques, HACCP and personal hygiene and maximum carcass yield.
The competition is a stepping stone to UK-wide competitions, with the winner having the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of talented butchers like Peter Rushforth and Matthew Edwards, who have both represented the UK and won the Butchery WorldSkills UK National Competition.
Apart from having the kudos of being named Wales’ best butcher, the winner will receive a cheque for £130, while the runner up will receive £70 and all four finalists will receive a trophy.
The application form may be downloaded at www.cambriantraining.com/competitions and it must be sent to Katie George, Welsh Butchers Competition, Cambrian Training Company, Tŷ Cambrian, Unit 10 Offas Dyke Business Park, Fisher Road, Buttington, Welshpool, SY21 8JF
Arwyn Watkins, Cambrian Training Company’s managing director, said:
“We have rebranded the competition this year to open it up to all butchers in Wales, not just those under the age of 25.
“This competition provides the perfect platform for the best butchers in Wales of all ages to showcase their skills at a major event. It’s a great honour to be named the best in Wales at your chosen vocation and I would encourage people visiting the show to come and watch these highly skilled butchers demonstrating their skills and meat display techniques.”
For more information please visit: www.cambriantraining.com
