The Aussie butcher can be a true battler, a bearded hipster or an old school gent, but most of all a butcher is an honest worker doing the best for the community with fresh meat and friendly service.
The skills and knowledge of a butcher extends from being pretty handy with a knife to knowing what to do with a rabbit and providing Aussie families with a square meal.
And if you have any questions on how to cook meat, just ask your butcher.
The 2019 State Butcher Challenge is all about showcasing the skills of the local butcher.
Part of an invitational fundraising event, the Showdown in the Showground Invitational BBQ invites butcher teams from each state to compete in a friendly, supportive and fun day to pit their skills against each other in aid of a good cause to raise funds for the farmers who support the butchers.
To be held in Sydney at Hawkesbury Showgrounds with a crowd of thousands expected between November 9 and 10, each team of four butchers is required to bone out a lamb and produce value-add products as well as prepare two chickens for retail.
The next task is based around a mystery box, where teams need to take whatever elements are in the box and prepare retail-ready products - last year was rabbit.
The team captains from participating states are:
- NSW: master butcher Craig Munro
- Victoria: Joel Young
- SA: master butcher Paul Suleyman
- Qld: Gary Thompson
- WA: Phil Seitz
The State Butchery Challenge is in its second year and last year raised more than $12,000 for the BuyaBale charity organisation.
Can you help sponsor your local team or the competition?
Please contact Shannon Walker via shannon.walker7@tafensw.edu.au, m: 0424 055 190.