Welsh butchers are preparing to compete at the Welsh Craft Butcher of the Year final next month at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC).
The event takes place from January 22-24, 2024, at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport.
Sponsored by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) and Cambrian Training Company, the contest is open to Welsh butchers aged 16 and over.
The competitors can be employed or studying for a qualification in a college or establishment anywhere in the world. Entries must be received by January 15, 2024, together with the £30 entrance fee.
CAW president and executive chair of Cambrian Training Company, Arwyn Watkins, said:
“The Welsh Craft Butcher of the Year competition provides the perfect platform for the best butchers in Wales of all ages to showcase their skills.
“It’s a huge honour to be named the best in Wales at your chosen vocation and this will be a chance to watch highly skilled butchers demonstrating their skills and meat display techniques.”
Butcher of the Year
In the competition, butchers will undertake two tasks to showcase their skills to judges from the Craft Butchery Team Wales.
They will have 30 minutes to cut a whole lamb into primal joints, as well as clean their work area.
For the second task, they will have one hour and 20 minutes to produce a “visually exciting” display to merchandise the meat showcasing both their skills and creativity.
The judges will be looking for technical skills, innovation, creativity and a detailed description of each product created, together with cooking instructions.
Competitors must also create a minimum of two lamb products, identified in appearance and size, that judges will weigh to check consistency.
Last year’s champion butcher, Adam Jones from Swans Farm Shop, said: “I left school with the minimum qualifications and now I am one of the best in Wales at my trade.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do when I left school and butchery was my last chance to make something of my life.
“Three of my siblings have gone to university, but I chose butchery and it was the best decision of my life.”
