Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/10/2013
12:00 am

Location
Loughery College Cookstown
Dungannon Rd
Cookstown

BT80 9AA

United Kingdom

Ask any good independent butcher what he is; he will most likely reply “I am a trade’s man with knowledge in all things meat”.

Ask him what his business is; he will say “I’m in the meal solution business”.

Most good butchers have one big advantage over their main rivals: the large supermarkets. That big advantage is being able to produce unique meat products, using spices and flavourings, just like some great chefs.

The Northern Ireland Elite Butchers and the selected members of  Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland recognised that their members were good at producing products but that their members were finding it difficult to get recognition for their unique meat products, so they came up with an event: the “All Ireland Artisan Butcher Awards”.

On 8th October 2013 (to be confirmed) each butcher will bring three of their meat products to CAFRE (Loughery College Cookstown). Their products will be judged on a number of criteria. The products will be judged firstly on their appearance in a raw state; the products will then be cooked and judged again. The products will be judged on their own merits rather than against other products in the event. Each product will be awarded points and will receive an award in accordance with its score. The judging panel will consist of chefs, ingredient producers, and retired butchers.

The prize giving will be held in Newry 16th October 2013 (to be confirmed). There will be a dinner followed by the awards, photos and press releases.

It is hoped that this event will enable the small independent butcher to gain some well deserved recognition for his unique meat products.