Best ham in the land

The sweet aroma of freshly smoked and cured hanging hams is the first indication that Gary Dufty knows what’s he’s talking about when it comes to what makes a good ham.

Now he has the accolades to prove his aptly named Dufty Ham is the best in the land too.

His small Waikato butchery, Best Meats 2 in Te Aroha has taken the top prize for the best ham in New Zealand.

Dufty Ham took out the gold award in the best ham category at the Pork, Bacon and Ham Awards in Auckland, as well as the supreme award. Not too bad for a little butchery from Te Aroha and considering he nearly forgot to enter.

‘‘My son talked me into entering the awards. After we got a bronze award for our bacon, I thought ‘why not’,’’ he said.

Gary has a long history in the butchery business. He says there are no big secrets when it comes to curing ham, but you do need time, patience and a passion for meat.

In 1984, Gary and his wife Athlene opened Best Meats Butchery in Morrinsville. In 2006 they decided to set up shop in Te Aroha, and to lessen the workload, they sold the Morrinsville business to Graeme and Sheree Hodges about five years ago.

Butchery is very much a family affair for the Duftys. Their son and his family will take over the business at the end of the year and sausage making is another skill that has been passed down.

Gary and Athlene have a loyal customer base in Te Aroha, and at Christmas time he hands out what he believes is the best glaze recipe.

‘‘Te Aroha means love and everybody loves my bacon and ham in Te Aroha,’’ he said.