IN two weeks young Toowoomba butcher Luke Thomas from Millers Gourmet Meats will make the long trek to England to put his skills to the test against the world’s best.

Luke will compete in the World Butcher Wars final to be held on July 5-6 at the famous Ascot Racecourse near London.

He has earned the right to compete on the international stage after World Butcher Wars competitions in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.

Despite his young age Luke has already amassed an impressive array of accolades for his work, including being the named the Queensland and then Australian National AMIC Apprentice Butcher of the Year in 2023.

Competitive butchering is a pressure-cooker experience. Competitors in the World Butcher War have just 40 minutes to break down a pork saddle, a side of lamb and two chickens and turn each into a diverse variety of value-added meals.

Performing live on stage before a huge crowd, the event is the ultimate test of craftsmanship, speed and culinary creativity.

Luke after winning a Meatstock World Butcher Wars competition in Victoria earlier this year, with the presentation display showing how many products

Luke says he loves his job and attributes his passion for working as a butcher to his childhood growing up on a sheep and cattle property near Longreach, and the training he has received from expert butchers while working at two leading regional Queensland butcheries.

He completed his apprenticeship at Ashton’s Butchery in Pittsworth and now works at Millers Gourmet Meats in East Toowoomba. He said both shops have provided exceptional guidance throughout his journey.

Though he admits he used to get nervous before competitions, experience has brought confidence and he now relishes the challenge. “I’m always thinking of new and creative ways to turn beef, lamb, pork and chicken into value-added meals for our customers,” he said.

Jim (left) and Keenan (right) Miller, Millers Gourmet Meats, Toowoomba, proudly supporting Luke to raise funds for his UK visit.

Luke said entering competitions has been an invaluable learning experience.

“Just getting to travel to new places and meeting different butchers and learning how they do their craft, you are always learning something, it is a great experience and you’re always expanding your knowledge,” he told Beef Central.

Luke has been sponsored by F.S. Alliance, Victorinox, Boodua Creek, Denco, Signs N’ Lines and Millers Gourmet Meats.