Team Australia Announced
New team members Daniel McCarthy (second left) and Dale Spencer (second right) with the judging panel - From Left: Bob Retallick, Trevor Saville, Adam Stratton and Doug Piper
Knives have been drawn – in professional fashion – as butchers from across the country have put their skills to the test, seeking to become part of the prestigious Australia Steelers representative team.
Now six of Australia`s finest butchers have been selected as part of Team Australia, to compete at the World Butchers’ Challenge in 2020.
Team captain, Adam Stratton, from Sydney’s Tender Gourmet Butchery, said the selection process had been fierce, balancing both the existing skills and experience of return members with new talent.
“The World Butchers’ Challenge pitches teams of six butchers against each other, testing their butchery skills, ability to create innovative value-added meat products and to present the judges with quality finished products.
We did really well at the 2018 event, bringing home third place and a swag of other prizes, so we are hoping to do even better in 2020.
That’s why we’ve undergone a multi-stage selection process that encouraged butchers from across Australia to apply, while also balancing both experience and team renewal.”
The team selection was finalised this week after a three-hour test of skills on the Gold Coast under the watchful eye of selectors, including Mr Stratton, who had been confirmed to stay on as captain after being selected in the World Team in 2018.
The Australian Steelers will be:
Adam Stratton, Tender Gourmet Butchery, NSW
Paul Brady, Tender Gourmet Butchery, NSW
Colin Garrett, Colin’s Butchery, NSW
Luke Leyson, Goodwood Quality Meats, SA
Daniel McCarthy, A Cut Above Family Butcher, VIC
Dale Spencer, Eumundi Meats, QLD
Mark Rogers, Stapleton’s Quality Meats, NSW, and Tom Bouchier, Peter Bouchier Butchers of Distinction, VIC, were selected as reserve members of the team.
“It’s an honour to remain captain of this team and I congratulate the new Steelers team on their selection. I look forward to seeing what we can create and achieve during the next 18 months.”
The selection for the Young Apprentice and Young Butcher members of Team Australia will occur on 17 April 2019, at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Team Australia will compete at the World Butchers’ Challenge in Sacramento, California, USA in September 2020.