Bay butchers competing for top prize

Regional winner Kieran Horsefield of New World Greenmeadows is preparing for the grand final of Alto Butcher of the Year to be held in Auckland next week. Photo/ supplied.

The Bay's premier butchers are vying to be crowned the best in the business on Thursday at Alto Butchers of the Year.

Justin Hinchco of Waipawa Butchery and Kieran Horsefield of New World Greenmeadows are hoping to carry their form from the regionals into the grand final.

Mr Horsefield took out the regional competition in Wellington and said after three weeks of planning and practising different cuts of meat he was just about ready to go.

"I have really cranked into it and changed about 60 per cent of my cuts from Wellington as I wanted to come up with something different and knew that I needed to step it up again for Auckland."

Mr Horsefield didn't have a preference between the cuts but said he had done the best with pork so far.

"You need to get that balance right as there's no point producing something that looks good if it can't be cooked."

Mr Hinchco had also been preparing for the competition through work, day in and day out.

"We have been flat out as we are a 99 per cent carcassbutchery so every day we are breaking cuts of meat but I have also done the odd run through of certain cuts."

Mr Hinchco prides himself on his cuts of beef but didn't want to give too much away ahead of the final.

"It is safe to say I do have some things up my sleeve."

In the final the 10 butchers have to complete a two-hour practical cutting test where they have two hours to break down a size 20 chicken, beef sirloin and pork shoulder into a themed display of value-added products. There will also be a mystery cut to breakdown.

Those in the apprentice category also have to face an interview and written exam.

This was the first year the competition was open to those over 30 years of age, which Mr Hinchco said added to the tough nature of the event.

The final featuring the 10 finalists takes place on Thursday at Shed 10 in Auckland and will be followed by a black-tie dinner where the winners will be announced.

The winner of each category will receive an international study tour.