Race to find New Zealand's most tender steak

The semi-finalists for the 2011 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin Competition, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Genetics, have been announced.

Nearly 400 entries were tested for tenderness by Carne Technologies, with the top 20 percent in each of five categories going on to compete in the semi-finals at Addington Raceway in Christchurch on Thursday 5 May.

The semi-finalists are:

Class 1: Best of Breed-European
DJ & PK Bengston, Waipukurau (Charolais), processed at Silver Fern Farms, Hastings
Rob & Mary Ann Burrows, Culverden (Charolais), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
Ross Clayton, Waipukurau (Simmental), processed at Silver Fern Farms, Hastings
Rob Johnstone, Outram (Limousin) processed at Alliance Mataura
Peter Maxwell, Auckland (Simmental), processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby (x2)
Peter McWilliam, Masterton (Gelbvieh), processed at Taylor Preston Wellington
TD & BR O'Shea, Whangarei (Limousin), processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby (x2)
Charlie Stephens, Christchurch (Piedmontese) processed at Ashburton Meat Processors/Ellesmere Butchery

Class 2: Best of Breed-British
Robin & Jacquline Blackwell, Inglewood (Hereford) processed at Taranaki Abattoir
Robin & Jacquline Blackwell, Inglewood (Angus) processed at Taranaki Abattoir
Chris Biddles, Te Kopuru (Angus) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby(x2)
Tim Brittain, Otorohanga (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby (x4)
Angus & Forbes Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd Wanganui
Kathy Child & Yvonne Hill, Whangarei (Angus) processed at AMP/Progressive
Greg Crombie, Masterton (Angus) processed at Taylor Preston Wellington
Joe Fouhy, Pahiatua (Angus) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Hastings (x2)
David Giddings, Fairlie (Angus) processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
Paul Goodwin, Christchurch (South Devon), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors/Angus Meats
Stephen & Jenny Herries, Porangahau (Angus) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Hastings
Jane Jenkins, Darfield (Angus) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Belfast
Mike & Lorraine Langtry, Feilding (Poll Hereford) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd Wanganui (x2)
Peter McWilliam, Masterton (Angus) processed at Taylor Preston Wellington
John Morrison, Marton (Ezicalve Hereford), processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd Wanganui (x2)
DC & LJ Redmond, Rakaia (Angus) processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
David Richardson, Taumarunui (Angus) processed at Taylor Preston Wellington
Alistair Sharpe, Waihi (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby
Hamish Williams, Gisborne (Angus) processed at AgResearch – Ruakura, Hamilton (x2)

Class 3: Best of Breed – Crossbreed & Other
Colin Brown, Cambridge (Piedmontese/Murray Grey) processed at AgResearch – Ruakura, Hamilton
Colin Brown, Cambridge (Piedmontese/Hereford) processed at AgResearch – Ruakura, Hamilton
Bridget Cameron, Cambridge (White Galloway X) processed at AgResearch – Ruakura, Hamilton
Mike Cranstone, Wanganui (Ezicalve Hereford/Friesian/Jersey X) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd Wanganui
Julie Eden, Gore (Dexter/Friesian X) processed at Alliance Mataura
Nigel Foster, Kaitaia (Angus X) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Dargaville
Angus Gibb, Feilding (Hereford/Jersey X) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd Wanganui
Hannah Gibb, Feilding (Hereford/Jersey X) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd Wanganui
Phillip Hoskin, Pahiatua (South Devon/Friesian X) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Hastings
Kate & Paula Jordon, Blenheim (Charolais/Jersey X) processed at CMP Kokiri
Colin & Brenda Lyon, Pleasant Point (Braunvieh/Angus X) processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
Kevin McConnell, Whangarei (South Devon/Angus) processed at Auckland Meat Processors
Peter McWilliam, Masterton (Pustertal/Angus X) processed at Taylor Preston Wellington
Leigh Needham, Morrinsville (Gelbvieh/Angus X) processed at AgResearch (Ruakura)
Doug Wooderson, Te Kuiti (Angus/Meuse Rhine Issel X) processed at AgResearch – Ruakura, Hamilton

Class 4: Best of Brand – Retail
Foodstuffs, North Island (Angus Pure) (x3)
Bowmont Wholesale Meats, Invercargill (Hereford Prime) (x2)
Chef’s Choice, Wanganui (Angus Pure) (x2)
Ellesmere Butchery, Leeston (Piedmontese/Jersey X)
The Gisborne Deli & Butcher, Gisborne (Turihaua Angus Beef)
Glanworth Partnership, Pahiatua (Angus Pure)
Progressive Enterprises, South Island (Countdown Finest Angus)
Traiteur European Butchery, Christchurch (Meadowlea Angus)

Class 5: Best of Brand – Wholesale & Food Service
Angus Meats, Christchurch (Angus Reserve)
Ashby’s Butchery, Christchurch (Hereford Prime)
Chef’s Choice, Wanganui (Angus Pure) (x2)
Foodstuffs Wellington (Time Tender)
Land Meat NZ, Wanganui (x2)
Neat Meats, Auckland (Angus Pure)
New Zealand Meat Marketing, Christchurch (Westmeat CMP Kokiri)
Progressive Enterprises, Auckland (Countdown Finest Angus) (x2)
Wilson Hellaby, Auckland (Angus Pure) (x2)

The top four from each class will be selected by a panel of chefs, meat industry personnel and celebrity judges to go forward to the final at Beef Expo, Feilding on 17 May.

A public tasting, to be held on 7 May at Hamilton Marist Rugby Club, will contribute to 10 percent of the final marks.