This highly regarded competition, which was held in Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre recently, has recognised the talent of New Zealand’s butchers for three decades running, with the level of skill increasing every year. Timmy Watson, from Allenton Meat Centre in Ashburton, endured a cutting test, an exam, an interview and a grilling mystery onstage challenge involving a pop up butchery and an assortment of ingredients planted in the audience.

Watson is looking forward to his prize of a study tour around Europe next year. “Being a part of such a prestigious industry event, and even better coming out on top, has just confirmed I am on the right path of one day having my own store. It just goes to show, when you put the work in, you get the results,” he says.