Slice of creativity wins butcher industry award

Calum Sutherland, from New World West End, left, with Ian Carter, chairman of NZPork.

New World West End Rotorua head butcher Calum Sutherland won the inaugural title of New Zealand's most innovative pork product for his creative "pork ladder" at the 100% New Zealand Bacon and Ham Awards.

The win followed success in last year's awards when the supermarket scooped a gold and silver award for its tasty bacon. It was the only supermarket to win an award in 2014 and this year.

Mr Sutherland is no stranger to winning - he has also been named Young Butcher of the Year twice, in 2005 and 2010, and in 2011 won a scholarship to work at a food festival in Germany. He is the third generation of his family to be a butcher.

In the new category, butchers were required to display their most inventive pork product. Entrants were judged on the commercial viability of the product, whether it was innovative, logical in its production and appeal and its practicality for cooking and serving.

Head judge Anita Sarginson said: "The top entrant showed enormous innovation and is a great showcase of 100 per cent New Zealand pork product."

The pork ladder achieved a silver - the highest award of all entrants in the new category.

Mr Sutherland credited customer feedback with helping him to create the pork ladder, which he recommended roasting.

"Customers want something quick, easy to cook, easy to carve.

"I find that following customer feedback is the best way to a customer's heart."

The pork ladder created customer interaction and was easy to carve so each member of the family could have as many rungs of the ladder as they wished with perfect crackling, said Mr Sutherland.

New Zealand pork was a versatile protein, he said, adding that it was important to support local farmers.

The competition received 197 entries from 50 entrants nationwide. Cashmere Cuisine, Christchurch, won the Bacon of the Year, and Westmere Butchery, Auckland won the Ham of the Year categories.