Butchers slice up contest
SOME of the best young butchers from the Darling Downs have sliced their way through a day of tough competition and expert scrutiny.
A group of six yesterday worked side by side at the Queensland Choice Meats wholesale outlet as part of the WorldSkills Queensland western division butchery final.
The competitors each had to take a lamb and a chicken and break them down into a wide range of cuts and products ready to be sold.
Three expert judges watched their every move as they toiled for six hours.
Wilsonton Meats butcher Byron Allsopp said it was “pretty stressful”.
“Just being put out of your comfort zone and racing the clock,” Mr Allsopp said.
The competitors had to do everything by hand, with the use of handy tools, like bandsaws, not allowed.
“They are really testing our skills, whether it be with a knife or displaying products,” he said.
The competition is aimed at finding the best butcher younger than 23 years of age.
Competition co-ordinator Warren Nicholls said the winner would go to the national championships in September next year.
“The key things are their
Byron Allsopp:
They are really testing our skills, whether it be with a knife or displaying products.
knife skills, being consistent in the product and product knowledge,” Mr Nicholls said.
Fellow co-ordinator Darren Steel said it was a chance for butchers to show off their skills.
“Normally, if you were in a butcher shop and you cut one lamb in six hours you would be sacked by the end of the day,” he said.