Upper North Island butchers set the bar extremely high over the weekend in the final regional of the Alto Butcher and Competenz Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition, held in Auckland.
The incredible talent of Upper North Island butchers resulted in a three-way tie for the Butcher of the Year; Luka Young from New World Eastridge, Reuben Sharples from Aussie Butcher New Lynn and Riki Kerekere from Countdown Meat and Seafood drew for first place. Ben Nelson from Aussie Butcher New Lynn won the Butcher Apprentice category.
![Ben Nelson won the Butcher Apprentice category. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/VIAVCBI4TEEFQ6IAK3WJNKEVE4.jpg?auth=a48845ad0b6fb435679d8e21142e7548483946fc9aeb1113607092268c2ddd2a&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
In just two hours, the butchers were asked to break down a size 20 chicken, a beef sirloin and a pork shoulder, turning the cuts into a display of value-added products.
All four winners will now continue on to the Grand Final, being held on August 31st in Auckland, where they will not only showcase their impressive cutting skills but also their creativity and knowledge of the trade, against the best in the country.