A Waipā butcher was one of two to secure places in the Young Butcher and Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition last week.
Cambridge’s Dallas Prince from Wholly Cow Butchery won the Pact Packaging young butcher category and Alex Pellow, from New World Mt Maunganui, the Anzco Foods apprentice category at the regional finals in Te Awamutu.
Dallas Prince of Wholly Cow in Cambridge with judge Peter Martin. Photo: Supplied
Competitors carved their way through a two-hour cutting test last Wednesday at Pak’n Save in Te Awamutu hoping to securing a spot in the finals in Auckland next month.
Prince has been a qualified butcher for five months.
“This is my third regional competition and the second time I have made it to nationals, so I am really stoked to be competing again, this time as a qualified butcher rather than an apprentice,” he said
“I’ll be focusing on working cleaner and creating better signage for my products in the lead up to the grand final.”
Pellow, who is near the end of his apprenticeship said said he went in with a plan that he had practiced and stuck to it.
Participants showcased their butchery expertise in demonstrating their skills in boning, trimming, slicing and dicing. They were required to break down a beef short loin, whole pork leg, square-cut lamb shoulder, and two chicken barrels into a display of value-added products.
Head judge Peter Martin who is the butchery training advisor at Skills for Work in Auckland, said the regional competitions underway were turning out a very high standard of displays.“It’s been outstanding to see the level of support the competitors have from their work mates and whānau at these competitions,” he said. “It’s important for the competitors to be well supported which ultimately contributes to how they perform on the day.”
Both Prince and Pellow won $150 and a trophy.
Alex Pellow of New World, Mt Maunganui.
