COUNTRY and city-based butchers from five states were successful in the 2023 National Sausage Kings Competition finals held in Adelaide by the Australian Meat Industry Council over the weekend.

AMIC’s showcase national retail event, the Sausage King National Finals saw winners announced at the Ikon Pack National AMIC Awards Dinner on Saturday night.

Beef division winner Kory Edwards, South Nowra Meats (NSW), pictured with Doug Piper, MLA. Click on images for a larger view

More than 30 regional and state competitions were held throughout Australia during 2022 to decide the state and national finalists, representing hundreds of independent butchers.

Judging divisions covered beef, lamb, pork, poultry, continental and gourmet divisions, plus separate categories for best butcher’s beef burger and butcher’s gourmet burger.

Among this year’s major winners was beef category National Sausage King, Kory Edwards from South Nowra Meats in regional NSW.

He said he had dreamt about winning an award like this from when he first became a butcher.

“I can’t believe it; you dream about these things when you become a butcher and it has come true,” he said. “Every butcher shop in Australia has a beef snag, it is fabulous to win an award like this to say you topped every other butcher shop in Australia.

“It will be really good for our business, we’ll do really well because of this, our turnover will be massive,” Mr Edwards said.

Best burger division winner Andrew Loveday, Loveday’s Quality Meats QLD – Pictured with Catherine Golding, MLA

Best Butcher’s Burger division winner, Andrew Loveday from Loveday’s Quality Meats, Burleigh QLD was thrilled with his win.

“We love going into the competition, it reassures our customers that we’re doing a good job for them, it is great peace of mind,” Mr Loveday said.

Asked what the key was to making an award-winning beef burger, Mr Loveday said meat selection was key. “Meat selection is the most important thing, as well as a great recipe is what you need for an award-winning burger.

“We try extremely hard, what we dish out for the judges is what we give the customers every week, we don’t change anything for the judges. What the judges get, the customers get,” he said.

Western Australia’s Crimea Quality Meats claimed the national lamb sausage King crown, while Gympie Queensland butcher Gympie meat Hall claimed the poultry division (full results below).

Lamb division winner Joe Difulvio, Crimea Quality Meats (WA), pictured with Doug Piper, MLA

AMIC’s Apprentice of the Year competition was also held over the weekend, with five state finalists completing a practical assessment, theory exam, and mystery box challenge over the two days.

The state finalists were Laura Ross (VIC), Harry Hallam (QLD), Riley Schofield (WA), Glenn Murphy (NSW), and Edward Potter (SA).

Apprentice of the Year winner Glenn Murphy from NSW was ecstatic with winning the prestigious award.

“You’ve got no idea, the encouragement that people have given me and the satisfaction I’ve gotten from proving to them all that I could do it, and that their faith in me was well placed. I’ve really enjoyed it, I have a plan from here to be a TAFE teacher, I’d love to be a TAFE teacher, I’d like to have an apprentice come and work with me in my shop.

“Thanks to Craig Cook, the owner of my company, for his encouragement, I told him the first day I started my apprenticeship that I wanted to be NSW Apprentice of the year, I’m not sure what he thought at the time but he encouraged me every day since then,” Mr Murphy said.

“The weekend was a fantastic celebration of the independent local butcher, and the finalists have all produced exceptional products,” AMIC retail general manager Stuart Fuller said.

The butchers really know their trade and craft, and having strong community connections to their customers and a desire to make quality tasting products highlights their passion and commitment to their businesses,” he said.

Mr Fuller said AMIC was grateful for the event’s sponsors and partners for a great event.

“I want to thank all of the state participants and congratulate the finalists,” he said.

“Their love for the job, enthusiasm, drive, and willingness to listen and learn was wonderful to see.”

“Their support of the industry and the awards is important and greatly appreciated,” Mr Fuller said.

Sausage Kings Results:

Traditional Australian Beef Sausage

1. South Nowra Meats (NSW)
2. The Corner Butcher (WA)
3. Marsh Butchery (QLD)

Australian Lamb Sausage

1. Crimea Quality Meats Morley (WA)
2. Coopers Butchers (SA)
3. Flora Hill Quality Meats (VIC)

Poultry Sausage

1. Gympie Meathall (QLD)
2. Nigel’s Gourmet (TAS)
3. Chop Butchery Nepean Village (NSW)

Traditional Australian Pork Sausage

1. Barossa Fine Foods (Edinburgh North, SA)
2. Crimea Quality Meats (WA)
3. Ranford’s Family Butchers (VIC)

Continental Sausage

1. Arnold Family Butchers, Boort (VIC)
2. Rollbusch Quality Meats (SA)
3. Nigel’s Gourmet (TAS)

Gourmet/Open Class Sausage

1. Lucas Brothers Butchers Warrnambool (VIC)
2. Swallow Drive Meat Supply (SA)
3. The Corner Butcher (WA)

Best Butchers Beef Burger

1. Loveday’s Quality Meats Burleigh (QLD)
2. Rainbow Meats Chirnside Park (VIC)
3. Swansea St Family Butcher (WA)

Best Butchers Gourmet/Open Class Burger

1. Mickey D’S Gourmet Meats and Deli Northcote (VIC)
2. South Nowra Meats (NSW)
3. Noranda Meats (WA)