Couple land tastiest steak title

A couple are staking their claim in the world of beef, taking out the prize for the nation's tastiest steak for the second year running.

An Angus sirloin from Joe and Lea Fouhy in Pahiatua, Wairarapa, was again judged the country's tastiest steak at the Meat & Wool New Zealand Steak of Origin challenge.

The winning steak was chosen from 16 finalists at the Beef Expo in Palmerston North.

The judging panel comprised gold medallists Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, New Zealand Beef and Lamb advisory chef Greg Heffernan, and Wanganui chef Derek Allomes.

Taste, tenderness, aroma and juiciness were some of the criteria used for assessing the steaks. To qualify for finalist status, all sirloin steaks were pre-tested at Lincoln University to ensure they were of Quality Mark tenderness standard.

The competition attracted almost 200 entries from beef farmers, retailers, wholesalers and foodservice nationwide.

The Fouhys, who won the Best of Breed - British class were named supreme winner. They received the Meat & Wool New Zealand "Steak of Origin" trophy and $6500.

- NZPA