Two butchers, one from Mount Maunganui and one from Cambridge, have secured themselves a coveted spot at the grand final of the 2024 Pact Packaging Young Butcher and ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition.

The competitions took place in Te Awamutu last week, bringing together butchers from across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region who sharpened their knives and carved their way through a challenging two-hour cutting test in hopes of securing a spot in the final.

Alex Pellow from New World Mt Maunganui claimed first spot in the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice category, and Dallas Prince from Wholly Cow Butchery in Cambridge placed first in the Pact Packaging Young Butcher category.

Alex Pellow is delighted to be going to Nationals as an apprentice as he is almost at the end of his apprenticeship. 

He says he is grateful for the support of his mentors and colleagues who helped him get this far. 

“I feel like I’ve had a whole team behind me. I went in with a plan that I had practiced and stuck to it, so are very happy with the win.”

Dallas Prince has been a qualified butcher for five months. 

“This is my third regional competition and the second time I have made it to Nationals, so I am really stoked to be competing again, this time as a qualified butcher rather than an apprentice," says Dallas.

"I’ll be focusing on working cleaner and creating better signage for my products in the lead up to the grand final."

Dallas Prince from Wholly Cow in Cambridge with judge Peter Martin.

The regional competitions are part of a nationwide series designed to identify New Zealand’s finest butchers for a grand final showdown in August.

Participants showcased their butchery expertise in a rigorous two-hour challenge, demonstrating their skills in boning, trimming, slicing, and dicing.

They were required to break down a beef short loin, whole pork leg, square-cut lamb shoulder, and two chicken barrels into a display of value-added products, all under the keen eyes of the judges.

Head Judge Peter Martin, who is the Butchery Training Advisor at Skills4Work in Auckland, says it’s great to have the regional competitions underway and competitors are turning out a very high standard of displays.

“It’s been outstanding to see the level of support the competitors have from their work mates and whānau at these competitions,” says Peter.

 “It’s important for the competitors to be well supported which ultimately contributes to how they perform on the day.”

Both Alex and Dallas received $150, a trophy and will represent their region at the Grand Final on Thursday 22 August at the EventFinda Stadium in Auckland.

The competition is proudly sponsored by Pact Packaging, ANZCO Foods, Dunninghams, Hellers, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Skills4Work, Tegel, Victory Knives, Wilson Hellaby, Anago, Global Cuisine, Cabernet Foods and NZPork.