Two young Dunedin butchers will fight it out for accolades in this year's young butcher competitions.
Benjamin Henry (New World Centre City), who placed second in the butcher apprentice category last year, hopes to win the title this year, while Taylor Wyllie (Gardens New World) will compete in the young butcher category.
The pair, who are among 65 butchers competing in the Alto Young Butcher and Competenz Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition, will have their first challenge at the South Island regional competitions on June 18.
There are four regional competitions at which both a butcher apprentice and young butcher (who must have finished their apprenticeship and be 30 years old or younger) will be selected to go head-to-head against other regional winners at the grand final in August.
Entrants must complete a practical cutting test, in which they will have two hours to turn a whole beef sirloin, pork shoulder and a size 20 chicken into a display of products similar to what would be seen in a butcher shop display.
Those who make it through to the grand final will have another chance to display their knife skills and will also face a written exam and interview to assess their theoretical knowledge and communication ability.
Luka Young, runner-up in the 2015 Alto Young Butcher category and winner of the 2014 Competenz Butcher Apprentice category, said he was hoping for a hat-trick this year.
"For me it's another chance to improve the skills I already have. Each time I enter, I'm forced to raise the bar even higher and bring another level to the competition than perhaps what I've done before.''
The grand final will be held in Auckland on August 25.
