Raising the steaks

The 500 entries in the 2012 Steak of Origin Challenge have been narrowed down to 20.

The finalists in the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin Challenge, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Genetics, have been announced after the semi final in Christchurch this afternoon.

Competition judge Bruce Griffiths, chef at Cook’n with Gas, says helping judge the top steak in the country was an honour.

“There was a couple that stood out but overall the standard was extremely high,” says Griffiths.

2012 celebrates a decade of the Steak of Origin Challenge and a special Producer of the Decade award is also being presented based on the results entrants have attained over the past 10 years.

The scores are so tight it will take the results of the 2012 Grand Final to determine the winner of this prestigious Decade title.

2012 Steak Of Origin Finalists
Class 1 – Best of Breed: European
Malcolm Entwisle, Te Kauwhata (Aubrac) processed at AgResearch Ruakura
Jon Knauf, Wairoa (Simmental) processed at Silver Fern Farms Hastings
Alex MacMillan, Whangarei (Hinterwilder) processed at AFFCO Moerewa/Lynnmac Meats
Andrew Neal, Piopio (Simmental) processed at Wilson Hellaby/Auckland Meat Processors

Class 2 – Best of Breed: British
Chris & Karren Biddles, Te Kopuru (Angus) processed at Wilson Hellaby/Auckland Meat Processors
John Morrison, Marton (Ezi Hereford) processed at Taylor Preston
Tim Wilding, Cheviot (Angus) processed at Wilson Hellaby/Auckland Meat Processors
Hamish Williams, Gisborne (Angus) processed at AgResearch Ruakura

Class 3 – Best of Breed: Crossbreed and Other
Don Buchanan, Taumarunui (Piedmontese X) processed at AgResearch Ruakura x2
Jon Knauf, Wairoa (Simmental/Angus) processed at Silver Fern Farms Hastings
Katherine Robertson, Piopio (Shaver/Speckle Park) processed at AgResearch Ruakura

Class 4 – Best of Brand: Retail
Bowmont Wholesale Meats, Invercargill (Hereford Prime) x2
Land Meat NZ Ltd, Wanganui (Angus Pure)
New World Melody’s, Palmerston North (Angus Pure)

Class 5 – Best of Brand: Wholesale/Foodservice
Bowmont Wholesale Meats, Invercargill (Hereford Prime)
Chefs Choice, Wanganui (Angus Pure)
Neat Meat, Auckland (Angus Pure)
Progressive Enterprises, North Island (Countdown Angus)

Producer of the Decade Finalists:
Chris & Karren Biddles, Te Kopuru
Don Buchanan, Taumaranui
Joe & Lea Fouhy, Pahiatua
Philip Hoskin, Pahiatua
Kevin McConnell, Whangarei
David McKenzie, Waipu
Peter McWilliam, Masterton
John Morrison, Marton
Dannie & Bethley O’Shea, Whangarei
Alistair & Patricia Sharpe, Waihi

Brand of the Decade Finalists:
Angus Meats, Christchurch (Angus Reserve)
Bowmont Wholesale Meats, Invercargill (Hereford Prime)
Chefs Choice, Wanganui (Angus Pure)
Glanworth Beef, Pahiatua
Harris Meats, Cheviot
Lake Farm Beef, Cambridge
Land Meat NZ Ltd, Wanganui (Angus Pure)
Magills Butchery Ltd, Te Awamutu (Hereford Prime)
Neat Meat, Auckland (Angus Pure)
Progressive Enterprises Ltd (Countdown)
Westmeat (Riverlands/CMP)

Background Information

The Steak of Origin challenge aims to find the most tender and tasty sirloin steak in New Zealand.  It is open to beef farmers, retailers, wholesalers and foodservice.

It originated from a national carcass competition ten years ago, when a taste element was introduced to help improve the consumer appeal of the contest.

The competition process involves an initial assessment of the sirloin steak at Carne Technologies in Cambridge.  Each steak is aged for three weeks before being tested for tenderness, pH, marbling and % cooking loss.  The most tender sirloin steaks reach the semi-final and are cooked to medium rare in a neutral flavoured oil without seasoning before being tasted by a panel of judges comprising foodies and industry personnel in Christchurch.  The finalists (the top four from each of the five classes) are tasted at the Grand Final hosted by the Manawatu Beef Expo in Feilding by top chefs and celebrities to find the most tasty and tender steak in the country.

To find out more information on the competition, please visit: http://www.beeflambnz.co.nz/index.pl?page=about_steak_of_origin&m=124