The annual search is underway to find the best young butcher in Wales, which could open the door to international success
The Welsh Young Butcher Competition 2014 will bring together the nation’s most talented butchers at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells on Tuesday, December 2. They will be given a chance to demonstrate their knowledge and knife and presentation skills in front of an enthusiastic audience in the Carcass Hall.
The competition is organised by award-winning training provider Cambrian Training Company, based in Welshpool and co-sponsored by Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Promotion Wales and Welshpool-based meat business WMO.
To stand a chance of winning the coveted title, trophies and cash prizes, butchers must have been 23 or under on January 1 this year and work within Wales.
Contestants have until November 10 to enter the competition. The entry form must be accompanied by a written explanation, not exceeding 250 words, supported by photographs, why adding value to their Welsh meat product range with their butchery skills is important and will attract new and existing customers.
From the entries, four finalists will be selected and their challenge will be to butcher a brisket of Welsh Beef, a shoulder of Welsh pork, a full saddle of Welsh Lamb with breast and a whole Cefn Llan Welsh chicken into cuts of their choice that add value and saleability.
A panel of experienced judges will be looking for creative ideas, cutting and display techniques, added value, food safety and personal hygiene, maximum carcass yield and skills content.
Application forms, which can be downloaded at www.cambriantraining.com, must be returned to Chris Jones either by e-mail chrisjones@cambriantraining.com or by post to Cambrian Training Company, The Offices @ Coed-y-Dinas, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RP.
Cambrian Training Company’s managing director Arwyn Watkins said: “Every year, we identify new talent in this competition as young butchers raise the bar with their high level skills, which helps to promote butchery as an exciting and rewarding career.
“Our ultimate aim is to develop world class skills in Wales so that our young butchers can compete with the best at international level.”
Last year’s winner, Matthew Edwards, 23, who works for S. A. Vaughan Family Butchers, Penyfford, near Chester, went on to compete for Great Britain in a European skills competition in Switzerland in September.
He began his journey to international competition at the Welsh Young Butcher contest and went on to gain his place in the GB team after finishing runner up in The National Federation of Meat and Food Traders’ Premier Young Butcher contest at the NEC, Birmingham.
For more information please contact Katy Godsell, Cambrian Training Company’s Marketing Manager, on Tel: 01938 555893 email: katy@cambriantraining.com or Duncan Foulkes, public relations consultant, on 01686 650818
Enter today by downloading the following file; Welsh Young Butcher Application Form_14
