Judges John Kilroy and Elaine Millar congratulate Sabina Kindler, representing AA Co for winning the RNA branded beef grand championship with a Darling Downs Wagyu F1 entry.

A WAGYU entry has steaked its claim as the nation’s finest beef in the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show’s prestigious Branded Beef and Lamb Competition, results from which were announced at the Brisbane Showgrounds a few minutes ago.

The Darling Downs Wagyu entry, produced by Australian Agricultural Co, took out the coveted John Kilroy Cha Cha Char Grand Champion Branded Beef of Show beating 41 other entries in the grassfed, grainfed, Wagyu (marble score of 1-5) and Wagyu (marbling score of 6+) categories.

Chief Judge Elaine Millar said the winning steak was a standout entry and proved why Queensland produces some of the best beef in the world.

“The grand champion AA Co Darling Downs Wagyu ticked all the boxes due to its lasting juiciness, silky buttery texture and stunning sweet and delicate caramel flavours,” she said.

“Both the commentary and the incredibly close scoring indicated that our Australian beef is not only escalating in quality each year but also a leader in the global beef market.”

A display sample from AA Co’s winning Darling Downs Wagyu entry. Click on image for a larger view.

With entries up by 20 percent overall, reaching a new record 58 for beef and lamb brands, this confirmed the RQFWS’s Branded Beef Competition as the nation’s most comprehensive competition of its kind.

The expert judges, including award-winning restaurateurs John Kilroy of Brisbane’s famous Cha Cha Char,  David Pugh of Restaurant Two and Shaun Malone from Bucci, tasted their way through almost 60 of the finest beef and lamb products from across the country.

Australia’s best lamb was taken out for the second year in a row by Tasmanian Royal for its branded lamb product, sold by Melrose Wholesale Meats based in Morningside.

Ms Millar said the judging panels were overwhelmed by the taste and visual quality of this year’s entries.

The RQFWS is one of the nation’s premier food and wine competitions; it is dedicated to unearthing, celebrating and promoting the nation’s best of the best.

The results were announced just minutes ago. More details on the major winners posted later today.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS:

THE JOHN KILROY CHA CHA CHAR GRAND CHAMPION BRANDED BEEF OF SHOW – Australian Agricultural Co – Class 3 – Darling Downs Wagyu

CHAMPION MSA GRADED BRANDED BEEF OF SHOW

Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd – Class 1 – Certified Australian Angus Beef

CHAMPION BRANDED LAMB OF SHOW (Australia’s Best Lamb)

Melrose Wholesale Meats – Class 7 – Tasmanian Royal

BEEF AWARD WINNERS

Class 1 – Lend Lease Grain Fed MSA Graded Striploin

Gold: Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd for its Certified Australian Angus Beef

Silver: Atron Enterprises Pty Ltd for its PremiYum

Bronze: Teys Australia Pty Ltd for its Teys Certified Premium Black Angus

Class 2 – Lend Lease Grass Fed MSA Graded Striploin

Gold: JBS Australia for its Great Southern brand grass fed striploin

Silver: Teys Australia Pty Ltd for its Grasslands Premium Beef

Bronze: Coles Brand for its Coles Graze Striploin

Class 3 – Wagyu Class – AUSMEAT Marble Score 1-5

Gold: Australian Agricultural Co for its Darling Downs Wagyu

Silver: Andrews Meat Industries for its Tajima Wagyu Beef

Bronze: Oakey Abattoir for its Oakey Premium Wagyu

Class 4 -Wagyu Class – AUSMEAT Marble Score 6+

Gold: Andrews Meat Industries for its Shiro Kin Fullblood Wagyu Beef

Silver: Australian Agricultural Co for its Master Kobe

Bronze: Stockyard Pty Ltd for its Stockyard

Class 5 – Open Class

Gold: JBS Australia for its JBS Beef City Black brand

Silver: Oakdale Meat Company for its Beaumont Premium Meats

Bronze: Bindaree Beef for its Mayfield

LAMB AWARD WINNERS

Class 6 – Meat & Livestock Australia Branded Lamb less than 20kg

Gold: Milly Hill Pty Ltd for its Milly Hill

Silver: Thomas Foods International for its Thomas Foods Signature Organic MSA

Bronze: Australian Wholesale Meats QLD for its Sovereign Lamb

Class 7 – Branded Lamb more than 20kg

Gold: Melrose Wholesale Meats (QLD) for its Tasmanian Royal

Silver: Thomas Foods International for its Thomas Farms

Bronze: Thomas Foods International for its Killarnee Lamb (Aldi stores)

Source: Royal Queensland Show