Competition reveals the best NZ bacon of them all

The winners of this year's Bacon of the Year competition have been announced. File photo / Nicola Topping

A family-owned butchery in Christchurch has won this year's Bacon of the Year title, beating more than 80 other butchers from around the country.

Judges sampled 177 different bacons and marked them on taste, aroma, texture, and appearance before delivering their verdicts.

Head judge Steve Logan of Wellington's award-wining Logan Brown restaurant, said the standard of entries was very high and the panel of 24 judges faced some tough decisions.

"We need to make sure that the bacon not only tastes great, but also smells fantastically mouth-watering and doesn't shrink when it hits the pan.

"It is always great to see the variety of rashers entered - from sweet or salty to smokey or gluten-free," he said.

The supreme award went to Christchurch-based Peter Timbs Meats, which also took the gold medal in the streaky bacon category for their honey cured streaky bacon.

"We are very excited to have won, especially after winning silver last year in this same category," said butcher Chris Timbs.

"We cure and smoke our meat over a period of a week, using a special recipe that has been in the family since 1876.

"We make minor adjustments occasionally to make sure we get the perfect taste, texture and versatility from our bacon."

The annual Lesnies 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition is open to all New Zealand butchers who make their bacon from 100 per cent New Zealand pork.

There are four judging categories: streaky, middle, shoulder and middle eye.

Taste is the key element in the competition, with saltiness, sweetness, after taste and overall good taste considered.

But judge and acclaimed chef Anita Sarginson said a bacon's appearance and the way it sizzled in a pan were also taken into account.

"The butchers are all very passionate about what they do, and put a lot of time, care and effort into making delicious bacon for their customers."

Logan said it was important for people to support New Zealand butchers and farmers by buying locally-produced bacon.

More than 700,000kg of pork is imported into New Zealand each week but Logan says New Zealand bacon is always much fresher and tastier.

Bacon of the Year competition winners:

Supreme award

Peter Timbs Meats, St Albans, Christchurch

Best middle eye bacon

Gold: Sam's Butchery, Kelston, Auckland
Silver: Harris Meats, Cheviot, Canterbury
Bronze: Redcliffs Butchery, Redcliffs, Christchurch

Best shoulder bacon

Gold: Netherby Meats Ltd, Ashburton
Silver: Harris Meats, Cheviot, Canterbury
Bronze: Elite Meats, Riccarton, Christchurch

Best streaky bacon

Gold: Peter Timbs Meats, St Albans, Christchurch
Silver: Bulls Bacon, Bulls, Manawatu
Bronze: The Village Butcher, Blenheim

Best middle bacon

Gold: Goodman Fielder, Auckland
Silver: Butcher Jacks, Glenfield, Auckland
Joint Bronze: The Meat Factory, Te Awamutu
Joint Bronze: Manly Village Butcher, Whangaparoa, Auckland

- NZ HERALD STAFF