BOP butcher on her way to grand final

A Papamoa butcher has claimed a coveted spot in the grand nal of the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition.

Monika Remešová from PAK’nSAVE in Papamoa sharpened her knives and carved her way to success in the Waikato/Central North Island regional competition in Hamilton last month, beating o eleven fellow competitors.

Twenty-seven-year-old Monika is in her second year as an apprentice butcher. Originally trained as a civil engineer, she moved on to nd joy in the butchery trade.

“I feel so happy winning this regional competition,” says Monika.

“ is is my rst butchery competition and it’s a great honour to win and be able to represent the retail meat industry.”

Monika says she had an amazing support network around her in the lead up to the competition, including a mentor who helped her through the rst steps in preparing for the cutting test.

“For the grand nal I will be focusing on time management and the ner details in the hoping of winning the grand title.” e competition was part of a national series being held around the country to nd New Zealand’s top butchers to compete in a grand nal showdown later this month. ey were tasked with breaking down a size 20 chicken, a full pork loin, a lamb leg, and a prime steer d-rump into a display of value-added products while being closely watched and scrutinised by judges.

Contestants put their butchery skills to the test by boning, trimming, slicing and dicing their way through a two-hour competition.

Head Judge Peter Martin, who is the Butchery Training Advisor at Skills4Work in Auckland, says that he continues to see year on year, a very high standard of work coming from the butchery trade which makes for an exciting and competitive competition.

“Monika put on a very good cutting and display performance which saw her take the win,” says Peter.

“ e Waikato/Central North Island