Timmy Watson has been named the 2014 Alto Young Butcher of the Year. Pact Group subsidiary Alto has sponsored the awards for 10 years to support the New Zealand retail meat trade industry. Alto also supply all of the open cell trays used during the competition that enable the participating apprentices showcase their craftsmanship.
This highly regarded competition, which was held in Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre recently, has recognised the talent of New Zealand’s butchers for three decades running, with the level of skill increasing every year. Timmy Watson, from Allenton Meat Centre in Ashburton, endured a cutting test, an exam, an interview and a grilling mystery onstage challenge involving a pop up butchery and an assortment of ingredients planted in the audience.
Watson is looking forward to his prize of a study tour around Europe next year. “Being a part of such a prestigious industry event, and even better coming out on top, has just confirmed I am on the right path of one day having my own store. It just goes to show, when you put the work in, you get the results,” he says.