Rueben O'Connell, of
New World Alexandra, has won the south of the south regional
final of the Retail Meat ITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year
competition.
He will face finalists from four other regions in next
month's final, in Auckland.
Mr O'Connell (20) said there were seven other competitors in
last week's regional final held at Otago Polytechnic in
Dunedin.
The competition consisted of a 30-minute written exam, a
five-minute interview with the team of four judges and a
practical cutting test involving beef rump, a pork shoulder
and a whole chicken.
He said the national final would follow a similar format and
Mr O'Connell expected it to be competitive.
"The judging will be tougher and the competitors will be as
well, because they've all won their regional finals to get
there."
Mr O'Connell, who has worked at New World for more than two
years, has just finished his apprenticeship, and enjoys
working as a butcher.
"It's a good job to be in. It's good to get a trade behind
you."
The winner of the national final will undertake study tours
to the UK and Australia.
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