JBS representatives with their grand championship winning entry at last year’s Brisbane Show branded beef awards

ORGANISERS are calling for entries for this year’s Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show’s Branded Beef and Lamb Competitions, which have been re-scheduled from their previous slot closer to Brisbane show in August to an earlier date.

Entries this year will close on 10 April, in time for judging on 19 and 20 May, and a final awards presentation on Friday, May 22. Previously the competition has been held closer to the August Brisbane Royal Show.

Brisbane is regarded as the largest and most prestigious branded beef taste test competition of its type in the country. Lamb entries have also grown significantly in recent years, since introduced in 2011.

“For a country that adores its red meat and produces some of the finest beef in the world, this competition is a true showcase of the best of the best,” organisers said this week.

Last year’s branded beef winner, JBS Australia’s Swift Premium MSA-backed grassfed brand, was highly praised by RQFWS judges and was served throughout the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) as the hero dish at the iconic Royal Queensland Steakhouse. Click here to view Beef Central’s report on Swift Premium’s win last year.

The RQFWS judges will taste their way through Australia’s best steak and lamb from May 19, which includes a rigorous MSA taste-panel methodology with food scientists on board to cook and prepare each sample.

The RQFWS is a prestigious competition that unearths Australia’s top food and wine products, dedicated to celebrating and promoting the nation’s best of the best.

Despite the effects of last year’s drought, near-record entries were received for both beef and lamb in 2014, and expectations are that numbers will grow further this year.

In addition to the beef and lamb taste test competitions, divisions in 2015 will include Sausage King, Ham, Bacon and Smallgoods competition, Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, Ice-Cream, Gelato and Sorbet Competition, Royal Queensland Wine Show, and a Beer & Cider Competition.

• Visit www.rqfws.com.au to lodge an entry, or to obtain more information