Red meat rebound
The red meat sector is poised for a strong rebound this season, with export receipts forecast to top $10 billion and farm profitability to almost double.
Along with the top prize, Forbes and Angus Cameron also made history as the first entrants to take out both the Steak of Origin and the Golden Lamb Awards (Glammies), in 2008.
The Camerons were announced the winners after an intense tasting of the top twenty finalist steaks by the competition judges. The judging panel included BMX World Champion and Beef + Lamb Iron Maiden, Sarah Walker; NZ Listener Food Columnist, Lauraine Jacobs; Executive Chef at Wharekauhau Estate and Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef, Marc Soper and Head Judge, Graham Hawkes.
The Beef + Lamb Steak of Origin competition is now in its 13th year and NZ Listener food columnist, Lauraine Jacobs says it was a privilege to be involved in the judging of New Zealand's top steak.
"We judged each sirloin steak on aroma, juiciness, tenderness, texture and of course, taste. The quality of the beef I tasted this evening was simply exceptional and is a true testament to the skill of our producers," says Jacobs.
Forbes and Angus Cameron take home the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin Grand Champion shield as well as $5,000 in prize money.
Two other prestigious awards were also announced, the title of Supreme Brand Champion went to Countdown North Island and the Processor of the Grand Champion was Land Meat.
Also proving successful this evening, was Nero Restaurant in Palmerston North who won the Manawatu Beef Dish of the Year, as judged by close to 1,000 local diners over the past three weeks.
2015 BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND STEAK OF ORIGIN FINAL RESULTS
Grand Champion: Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus)
Processor of Grand Champion: Land Meat
Supreme Brand Champion:
CLASS 1 – BEST OF BREED: EUROPEAN
1st: Tony Partridge, Leeston (Simmental), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
2nd: Tony Partridge, Leeston (Simmental), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
3rd: Jon Knauf, Wairoa (Simmental), processed at Land Meat
4th: Malcolm Entwisle, Te Kauwhata (Aubrac), processed at Ruakura Meat Processors
CLASS 2 – BEST OF BREED: BRITISH
1st: Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus), processed at Land Meat
2nd: John & Joss Bayly, Paihia (Angus), processed at AFFCO Moerewa
3rd: Alistair Sharpe, Waihi (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby
4th: Karen & Bob Schumacher, Inglewood (Red Devon), processed at Land Meat
CLASS 3 – BEST OF BREED: CROSSBREED & OTHER
1st: Tom Savage, Gisborne (Hereford/Shorthorn), processed at Land Meat
2nd: Ian Grogan, Feilding (Angus/South Devon), processed at Land Meat
3rd: Don Buchanan, Taumarunui (Piedmontese X), processed at Land Meat
4th: Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus/Salers), processed at Land Meat
CLASS 4 – BEST OF BRAND: RETAIL
1st: Chef's Choice (AngusPure) (Angus) - Rangitatau Trust
2nd: Bowmont Wholesale Meats (Hereford Prime) (Hereford) - Waikaka Station
3rd: Countdown South Island (Countdown Angus) (Angus) - Pendarves
4th: Bowmont Wholesale Meats (Hereford Prime) (Hereford) - Waikaka Station
CLASS 5 – BEST OF BRAND: WHOLESALE & FOODSERVICE
1st: Countdown North Island (Countdown Angus) (Angus) - Takapoto Angus
2nd =: Angus Meats (Angus Reserve) (Angus) - D.A. & K.A. Winchester
2nd =: ANZCO FOODS (Riverlands) (Angus) - G.A. Brasell
4th: Lake Farm Beef (Angus) - Lake Farm
