A panel of 12 well-known food-writers and chefs, including Kerry Tyack and Julie Biuso, tasted a total of 69 sirloin steaks, judging each one on taste, tenderness and aroma, to find the top four for each class.
Semi-final judge, Kerry Tyack says as a returning judge, he was reminded of the outstanding quality of New Zealand beef.
“Although the steaks vary in taste, texture and appearance, they’re all of a consistently high standard,” says Tyack.
The steaks will be tasted once more at the Grand Final, to be held in Palmerston North on May 11.
The judging panel will include Sarah Walker (Beef + Lamb Iron Maiden and Silver Medallist); Lauraine Jacobs (Food-writer); Marc Soper (Beef + Lamb Ambassador Chef and Wharekauhau Country Lodge Executive Chef) and Graham Hawkes (Beef + Lamb Advisory Chef and Head Judge).
Between them, the Grand Final judges will determine both the 2015 Grand Champion and Supreme Brand Champion.
The 2015 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Steak of Origin finalists are:
CLASS 1 – BEST OF BREED: EUROPEAN
Malcolm Entwisle, Te Kauwhata (Aubrac), processed at Ruakura Meat Processors
Jon Knauf, Wairoa (Simmental), processed at Land Meat
Tony Partridge, Leeston (Simmental), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
Tony Partridge, Leeston (Simmental), processed at Ashburton Meat Processors
CLASS 2 – BEST OF BREED: BRITISH
John Bayly, Paihia (Angus), processed at AFFCO Moerewa
Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus), processed at Land Meat
Karen Schumacher, Inglewood (Red Devon), processed at Land Meat
Alistair Sharpe, Waihi (Angus), processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby
CLASS 3 – BEST OF BREED: CROSSBREED & OTHER
Don Buchanan, Taumarunui (Piedmontese X), processed at Land Meat
Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus/Salers), processed at Land Meat
Ian Grogan, Feilding (Angus/South Devon), processed at Land Meat
Tom Savage, Gisborne (Hereford/Shorthorn), processed at Land Meat
CLASS 4 – BEST OF BRAND: RETAIL
Bowmont Wholesale Meats (Hereford Prime) (Hereford)
Bowmont Wholesale Meats (Hereford Prime) (Hereford)
Chef’s Choice (AngusPure) (Angus)
Countdown South Island (Countdown Angus) (Angus)
CLASS 5 – BEST OF BRAND: WHOLESALE & FOODSERVICE
Angus Meats (Angus Reserve) (Angus)
ANZCO FOODS (Riverlands) (Angus)
Lake Farm Beef (Angus)
Countdown North Island (Countdown Angus) (Angus)
