The Wales Craft Butchery Team have been making their final preparations for the World Butchers’ Challenge, taking place this weekend in Sacramento, California, thanks to red meat levy body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

Members of the team performed butchery demonstrations and perfected HCC’s on-stand butchery displays during the Royal Welsh Show, which was held in Llanelwedd last month. HCC is a sponsor of the Wales Craft Butchery Team.

Audiences were drawn to butchery displays given by team captain Peter Rushforth from Flintshire, team member and Apprentice of the Year Ben Roberts from Wrexham, as well as team co-ordinator Chris Jones.

HCC Communications Manager Owen Roberts said,

“Butchers are not only the lifeblood of their communities but also a really important part of the supply chain here in Wales. We are pleased to support these young Welsh butchers in the upcoming World Butchers’ Challenge as they finesse their skills and become the next generation of Welsh butchers.”

Owen continued,

“We had many comments throughout the Royal Welsh Show on how impressive our butchery displays were and how it further heightened the appeal of PGI Welsh Lamb, PGI Welsh Beef and pork from Wales, and the expert butchery demonstrations given by the team were hugely popular.”

Chris Jones from the Wales Craft Butchery Team commented

‘We are grateful for the support from Hybu Cig Cymru and for the opportunity to perform on their stand at the Royal Welsh Show, the shop-window for Welsh food and drink. When you’re working with quality meat such as PGI Welsh Lamb, PGI Welsh Beef and pork from Wales, it makes our jobs that much easier.’

The World Butchers Challenge takes place on 2-3 September in Sacramento, California, where teams of butchers from around the world will put their skills to the test and battle it out to be crowned champion.

Owen Roberts added,

“From all of us at HCC, we wish the Wales Craft Butchery Team the very best of luck in September.”