CHRIS RILEY and PETER RUSHFORTH representing the United Kingdom (UK) at the International Young Butcher Competition (IYBC) raised their game and reputation against stronger than ever opposition in Utrecht, Holland earlier this week.
Recognised as the leading competition for 18 – 24 year old European butchery apprentices the six categories, two day event held in conjunction with Slavakto (21st-22nd September) proved to be the most challenging, fiercely fought and open result in the competition’s recent history between elite teams from Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Twenty two year old WALTER SMITH Assistant Manager Chris from Huntingdon, CAMBS and twenty year old Peter of SWANS FARM SHOP in Mold, FLINTSHIRE not only reaffirmed but increased UK credibility proudly going toe to toe with other European top apprentices in a competition which saw four times 2011-2014 winners Holland ‘knocked off their perch’ missing out on the title to France and the coveted team trophy to two girls from Switzerland!
Competition starting favourite Holland’s Johan Augustinus won the Seam Butchery, Barbecue and Kitchen Ready ‘Roasts’ categories. While Frenchman Lucas Beyle took the Ready to Eat ‘Europe’s Regions’, Main course with Meat and introduced for the first time a ‘Surprise’ category preparing a hindquarter flank of veal, scoring enough to take the title of International Young Butcher 2015. Whilst Dutchman Augustinus also lost out to Claudia Jaun as competition Runner Up and Luzia Mathys for third place both demonstrating ‘girl power’ and clinching the team trophy for Switzerland!
The International Young Butcher UK Team organised by the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders (NFMFT) is sponsored by ABP (UK), AHDB Beef & Lamb, AHDB Pork, DALZIEL, the INSTITUTE OF MEAT (IoM), LEEDS CITY COLLEGE, ORANGE BUTCHER, RAPS (UK), WEDDEL SWIFT and the WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BUTCHERS.
