Following a formidable effort at Rio, with more still to come from the Paralympics, Australian competitive sports enters a new arena.
The Australian Steelers, our six-man team of elite competitive butchers, will grace the stage at this year’s World Butchers’ Challenge in the Gold Coast next fortnight.
Selected from around the country, the team makes up the crème de la crème of Australian butchery.
“We’ve got a mix of first-time competitors and returning butchers,” Adam Stratton, the Steelers co-captain, tells SBS Food.
The World Challenge is in its sixth year running, though this will be Stratton’s fifth time competing for Australia.
“It’s a great competition and it’s growing! It started out as just Australia and New Zealand, and then the UK joined in. This year will be France’s first time in the competition, and boy are they known for being great with meat,” he laughs.
In the competition, teams will be judged on a series of outcomes, from how well they cut their meat to how many cuts they can get from a slab, as well as each cuts’ “sellability, cookability, and innovation”.
Innovation, Stratton says, is particularly important for smaller, rural butchers to consider, especially outside of the competition.
“It’s particularly tough for them since they have to compete with supermarkets which is really hard,” he says.
”So what I always tell young butchers is ‘try to make your shop a destination’.”
The competition also provides extra guidance for butchers across the country. The Challenge is sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia and Australian Pork who compile and distribute a booklet for butchers on innovative techniques presented at the World Butchers’ Challenge.
“That’s why it’s so important. These competitors set the standard for butchers across Australia,” Stratton says.
When asked whether anyone on the Aussie team provides Halal certified meats at their own butcheries, Stratton says, “Most of our lamb is probably Halal, I’d say. It’s just the way the meat is processed now.”
Naturally, the Steelers will be vying for the top spot at next month’s competition, says Stratton confidently.
“I’ve had two wins and one loss so far. And I’m going for a win this time.”
SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food
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