Brendon's a cut above the rest

Brendon Taylor, from Te Rapa New World, has taken out the Alto young butcher category for the second year running.

Brendon was runner-up at last year's grand final so will be looking to take it one step further this year.

Kim Doran, from competition organiser Retail Meat New Zealand, says the standard was very high.

"The competition in Waikato is always fierce and this year was no exception," he says.

Thomas Ride, from New World Cambridge, topped the RMITO butcher apprentice class.

The competition saw entrants from across Waikato compete in an exam, interview and a two-hour practical test.

Brendon and Thomas will now prepare for the final in Auckland on August 24.

As well as the prestige of being named the national champions, the winning Alto young butcher and the winning RMITO butcher apprentice will take home study tours to Europe and Australia respectively.