Taranaki couple in the running for Steak of Origin title
Taranaki farmers Robin and Jacqueline Blackwell are semifinalists in the prestigious Steak of Origin competition.
The Blackwells, who run a 648-hectare sheep, beef and dairy support operation, are semifinalists in the Best of Breed - British category with their hereford processed at Land Meat.
The couple’s farm, Mangaotea, is an annual entrant in the competition. It has been in the finals twice and has twice come second with angus in the Best of Breed - British section.
A panel of New Zealand’s top chefs sampled the semifinalists’ offerings last week and would determine which steaks were awarded a class placing.
The top entry in each farmer class, excluding Lifestyle, would progress to the final at the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin competition in Auckland on Thursday.
The judging panel included Michael Meredith from Meredith’s restaurant and Ben Bayly from Baduzzi and The Grove in Auckland.
‘‘This competition celebrates New Zealand’s high performing beef industry – both the people and the product,’’ said Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor.
‘‘Open to all New Zealand beef farmers, retailers, wholesalers and foodservice suppliers, the 2017 competition awards a Grand Champion along with the top three finalists from each of the eight classes - six farmer classes and two brand.
The steaks are judged on tenderness, percentage cooking loss in weight, marbling, colour, water binding capacity and pH.
2017 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin semi-finalists Class 1: Best Of Breed – European
Malcolm Entwisle, Te Kauwhata (Simmental), processed at Auckland Meat Processors AA & LA Partridge, Leeston (Simmental), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors Jon Knauf, Wairoa (Simmental), processed at Land Meat
Class 2: Best of Breed – British: Angus
Brian Bendall, Eketahuna (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Pacific x2 Paul Bodle, Morrinsville (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Tim & Kelly Brittain, Otorohanga (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors x2 Forbes Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus), processed at Land Meat x2 Shaun Fouhy, Pahiatua (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Pacific x2 Scott Gudsell, Masterton (Angus), processed at Cabernet Foods Mike Harnett, Palmerston North (Angus), processed at Land Meat x2 Lindsay & Maria Johnstone, Wanganui (Angus), processed at Land Meat Ceri Lewis, Otautau (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand x3 Howard Maxwell, Waiuku (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Dougal Stringer, Gore (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand Matt Wyeth, Masterton (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Pacific
Class 3: Best of Breed – British : Hereford
Robin & Jacqueline Blackwell, Inglewood (Hereford), processed at Land Meat x3 John Morrison, Marton (Hereford), processed at Land Meat Laurie Paterson, Gore (Hereford), processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand x2
Class 4: Best of Breed – British : Other
Graeme John Dyke, Pahiatua (Red Devon), processed at Silver Fern Farms Pacific x2 Anita Erskine, Tuatapere (Shorthorn), processed at Silver Fern Farms Finegand
Class 5: Best of Breed – Crossbreed & other
John & Jan Bellamy, Ruawai (Speckle Park X), processed at Silver Farm Farms Dargaville Michael McCool, Auckland (Wagyu), processed at Auckland Meat Processors AA & LA Partridge, Leeston (Charolais / Simmental), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors AA & LA Partridge, Leeston (Simmental / Angus), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors x2 AA & LA Partridge, Leeston (Limousin X), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors AA & LA Partridge, Leeston (Simmental / Jersey), processed at SilverFern Farms Belfast Katherine Robertson, Piopio (Speckle Park), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Tom Savage, Gisborne (Hereford/ Shortcorn X), processed at Land Meat x3
Class 6: Best of Breed – Lifestyle
Janie McPhee, Levin (Speckle Park), processed at Land Meat Class 7: Best of Brand – Retail AngusPure, Otorohanga (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Bowmont Meats (Hereford Prime), Invercargill (Hereford), processed at Bowmont Meats Chefs Choice (Ranui Angus), Wanganui (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Countdown (Countdown Angus), Auckland (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors x3 Harris Meats, Cheviot (Angus X), processed at Harris Meats New World Melody’s (AngusPure), Palmerston North (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Pacific x3 PAK’nSAVE Gisborne (AngusPure), Gisborne (Angus), processed at Silver Fern Farms Pacific Westmeat Christchurch (Hereford Prime), Christchurch (Hereford), processed at CMP Kokiri
Class 8: Best Of Brand – Wholesale & Foodservice
Angus Meats (Angus Reserve), Christchurch (Angus), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors AngusPure, Otorohanga (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Bowmont Meats (Hereford Prime), Invercargill (Hereford), processed at Bowmont Meats Cabernet Foods (Everton Dry Aged Beef), Carterton (Hereford), processed at Progressive Meats Chefs Choice (Ranui Angus), Wanganui (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Chef Ready Meats, Hamilton (Hereford), processed at AFFCO Horotiu Countdown (Countdown Angus), Auckland (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Hip Group, Waimauku (Shorthorn), processed at Auckland Meat Processors Neat Meat (Angus Pure), Auckland (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors