Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
Twenty finalists from across the nation have their hopes set on taking out the Grand Champion Award at the 2012 Glammies competition, which aims to find New Zealand's most tender and tasty lamb.
A handful of first time finalists have made the cut and are aiming to outshine the experienced few who have been in this position multiple times.
The finalists were determined from a record 150 entries, after an extensive testing process at Carne Technologies.
Carne Technologies project manager, Tracey Cummings, says the tests they run mimic attributes consumers' experience when eating New Zealand lamb.
"We analyse the eating quality of each lamb entry, based on tenderness, colour and succulence as these are important factors for the consumer," says Cummings.
The final showdown, in the form of a taste test, will be held at the Upper Clutha A & P Show in Wanaka on Friday, March 9.
Twenty lamb legs will be tasted by a panel of judges including 2011 Supercross World Cup Champion Sarah Walker, 2012 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ambassador Chef Ben Batterbury and Chief Judge & Invercargill chef Graham Hawkes, alongside a mystery guest judge.
The 2012 Grand Champion will take home a cheque of $2000 and the Glammies Grand Champion Trophy, with the winning retailer awarded the 2012 Champion Meat Retailer trophy.
