Jack's Creek and Australia retain World Steak Challenge title
Entered by Albers GMBH and produced by Jack’s Creek of Australia, the winning steak was revealed at an event in The Lookout, Hyde Park in London. The steak came from an Wagyu F2+ 75% aged for 30 months and grain fed.
With 83 entries from 17 different countries, the competition to be crowned the World's Best Steak was bigger than ever.
Chair of judges and butcher Keith Boxley said the winning steak picked up the top prize thanks to its all-round quality. “Every gold medal winner was worthy of winning the top prize but the overall winner was outstanding. It scored highly on appearance, quality, taste and tenderness.”
He explained what consumers are looking for in terms of meat. "People are getting more selective about the meat they eat and they want something more prepared. As a butcher judging this competition, I'm looking for something that looks and tastes nice that has no gristle."
Rod Addy, editor of GlobalMeatNews, said: “The high quality of entries this year is a testament to the hard work put in by producers around the world. The fact we had so many more entries this year highlights the pride that they take in their product and the eagerness to win such an accolade. For a producer to retain the title of World’s Best Steak is an amazing achievement and shows a high level of consistency in production.”
Patrick Warmoll, managing director of Jack’s Creek, was overwhelmed to win the award for the second time. “We spend a bit more time selecting the entry and this win confirms that we’re the best in the world again.
“Winning last year was one of the biggest things to happen to us. Our brand awareness has just exploded since winning and it’s been great for business. This is as much a win for Australia as it is for us.
Frank Albers of Albers GMBH which entered the steak into the competition said this win proved the producer had hit upon a winning formula. "We’re stunned and didn’t believe it would happen,” he said. “It’s the perfect combination of genetics with the right amount of marbling. It’s the right concept for the best steak.”
Albers added that this might put more pressure on them in the future. “We may have to justify ourselves and the competition but once people taste our steak, they’ll understand. We’ll definitely be back next year.”
Warmoll agreed that they won’t be resting on their laurels. “We’ll be going for the hat-trick!”
Josh Anderson of Meat & Livestock Australia said the standard of entries was higher than last year. "It was hard to increase the standard on last year but the producers have managed to do it. There were more entries this year which is positive. It's a tribute to the farmers the level of quality on display."
With Australia winning two years on the trot, Anderson said steak and the World Steak Challenge has become mainstream news. "There is a desire for good beef and the World Steak Challenge showcases this."
Jeff Wood, formerly of the University of Bristol, said the competition was stiff this year. "This was my second year judging the World Steak Challenge and the standard was as high this year. All of the steaks were tender and tasted great, making it a tough competition to judge."
The organisers would like to thank official supplier Beefsteak Club and reception sponsor Wagyu Japanese Beef for their support.
GOLD MEDAL WINNERS | |||||
Entrant Company Name | Producer Company Name | Country of Origin | Breed | Feed Regime | Age at Time of Slaughter |
ABP Poland | ABP Poland | Poland | Simmental Cross | Grain-based diet | 26 months |
Morrisons Supermarkets | Morrisons Supermarkets | Scotland | Shorthorn Cross | Grass and concentrates | 25 months 26 days |
Hannan Meats | Hannan Meats | Northern Ireland | Aberdeen Angus | Grass fed | 24 months |
ALBERS GmbH | Jack's Creek | Australia | F2+ Wagyu | Grained 450 days | 30 months |
Scotbeef | Scotbeef Ltd | Scotland | Aberdeen Angus | Homegrown barley, carrots, turnips, potatoes, wheat, grass silage | 678 days |
Australian Agricultural Company | Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) | Australia | Wagyu Cross | Raised on grass, finished on grain | Three years |
Hannan Meats | Hannan Meats | Northern Ireland | Shorthorn | Grass fed | 28 months |
JBS Global | JBS Global | Australia | Angus X (JBS Royal Brand) | 120-day grain finished | 27 months |
2 Sisters Red Meat | 2 Sisters Red Meat | Wales | South Devon | The cattle are fed for 12 months on grass and finished on grass & maize silage with forage roots. | 27 Months |
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Entrant Company Name | Producer Company Name | Country of Origin | Breed | Feed Regime | Age at Time of Slaughter | ||||||
Vacum Luxury Beef | Vacum SL | Spain | Rubia Gallega Cow | Grass fed | 9 years | ||||||
GOURMETFLEISCH.DE | GOURMETFLEISCH.DE | New Zealand | Wagyu | Grass feed | 30-36 months | ||||||
Onley Food Group | Onley Farms | England | Friesian x Holstein | Home grown mixed ration |
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Teys Australia Pty | Teys Australia Pty Ltd | Australia | Angus | Grain fed | 24 months | ||||||
JBS Global | JBS Global | Paraguay | Angus Cross (Quality Meat Brand) | Pasture fed | 30 months | ||||||
Whelan Food & Meat Processors | Whelan Food & Meat Processors | Ireland | Full Blood Wagyu | Grass fed, grain finished | 47.7 months | ||||||
Zandbergen World's Finest Meat | Jack's Creek | Australia | 100% Black Angus | 150+ days grain fed | 20 months | ||||||
Zandbergen World's Finest Meat | Tyson International Inc. (European Office) | United States | Black Angus Prime | 120+ days grain fed | < 24 months | ||||||
ABP Food Group | ABP Food Group | Scotland | Aberdeen Angus Cross | Grass-based grazing in the Scottish summer, with harvested fermented forage and cereal ration in the winter months, when housed. | 16 months, 14 days | ||||||
Martin Jennings Wholesale Ltd | Martin Kennedy | Ireland | Aberdeen Angus Cross | Natural west of Ireland grass fed | 27 months | ||||||
Liffey Meats | Liffey Meats | Ireland | Hereford Cross | Grass | 25 months | ||||||
Signature Beef - "Oino Gustus" | Signature Beef Pty Ltd | Australia | Angus x Belmont Red Composite | Pasture raised for 18-20 months, lucerne progression for 3 months, followed by high energy grain ration for 4 months | 26 months | ||||||
BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS | |||||
Entrant Company Name | Producer Company Name | Country of Origin | Breed | Feed Regime | Age at Time of Slaughter |
JBS Global | JBS Global | Uruguay | Hereford Cross (Hereford Reserve brand). | 120-day grain finished | 24 months |
SuperValu | Kepak Group | Ireland | Hereford | Grass fed | 27 months |
Morrisons Supermarkets | Morrisons Supermarkets Plc | Scotland | Shorthorn Cross | Grass and concentrates | 17 months 12 days |
Jan Zandbergen b.v. | NH FOODS Australia PTY LTd. | Australia | Angus | 200 day Grainfed | 24 months |
Danish Crown UK | Danish Crown UK | Germany | Angus Cross | Grass and grain fed | 28 months |
Scotbeef | Scotbeef Ltd | Scotland | Aberdeen Angus | Homegrown silage (grass), barley and straw | 797 days |
JBS Global | JBS Global | Australia | Wagyu (Tajima brand) | 300 day grain fed | 29 months |
JN Meat International | JN Meat International | Finland | Holstein Friesian | Grass fed | 30 months |
JBS Global | JBS Global | Argentina | Angus Cross (Plate Brand) | Pasture fed | 26 months |
Giraudi Meats | Creekstone Farms | United States | American Black Angus | Corn-fed for 140 days | 18-20 months |
Luiten Food BV | Thomas Foods International | Australia | British Breeds | Minimum 100 days grain fed | Up to 30 Months |
Hannan Meats | Hannan Meats | Northern Ireland | Shorthorn | Grass fed | 28 months |
