Modern Meats ‘steak’ claim to best beef in 2014 European Angus Steak Tasting Competition sponsored by Devenish Nutrition
Portadown-based Modern Meats has ‘steaked’ claim to the best beef in Northern Ireland by lifting the title of Supreme Champion in the 2014 European Angus Steak Tasting Competition sponsored by Devenish Nutrition.
As well as picking up the Supreme Champion Award at the Charity Gala Dinner and Awards presentation evening staged at the Bannville House Hotel in Banbridge the County Armagh company also won best Fillet steak in the under-15 employees category of the Provincewide event.
It was the first time the company had entered the competition and Joel Montgomery who collected the award for the family butchers said he was “absolutely delighted”.
The award for best Sirloin steak in the under-15 employees category went to Tener Brothers Family Butchers from Clogher while the best Rib-eye steak award in this category went to Millar Meats from Irvinestown.
In the over-15 employees category Dungannon-based Dunbia took the honours for best Fillet steak while Clogher Valley Meats won best Sirloin steak and also lifted the title for best Rib-eye steak.
R & J Family Butchers from Carrickfergus came first in the under-15 employees class for best traditional beef sausage while Park Butchers took the top spot for best gourmet beef sausage. The best beefburger in this class also went to Graham Park from Park Butchers.
In the over-15 employees category Clogher Valley Meats scored an impressive double lifting the title for best traditional beef sausage and best gourmet beef sausage. Gourmet Island from Newry was awarded best beefburger in this class.
The overall Champion title in the traditional beef sausage class went to R & J Family Butchers from Carrickfergus while Clogher Valley Meats took the honours in the gourmet beef sausage class. Meanwhile, Park Butchers was named Beefburger Champion.
Commenting on the 2014 Awards, European Angus Cattle Society Secretary, Harry McGaffin said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response to this year’s competition.
“Once again numbers are up and we have had entries from all over the Province.”
This is the fourth year of the competition which for the first time had the support of a sponsor, Belfast-based agri-technology company, Devenish Nutrition.
Simon Caughey of Devenish Nutrition said: “Devenish Nutrition is delighted to have sponsored the Steak Tasting Competition.
“The standard of entries was exceptional and the record number of entries shows how proud the entrants are of their produce.
“We would like to congratulate all the winners on their successes and hope it helps to promote their businesses further.”
Whilst organised by the European Angus Cattle Society the competition is open to the producers, processors and suppliers of all breeds of cattle.
Held at CAFRE Loughry campus the judging is undertaken as blind tastings.
Head judge this year was Michele Shirlow, CEO of Food NI whilst the judging of the traditional beef sausage, gourmet beef sausage and beefburgers was carried out by members of Collone Young Farmers Club.
As well as announcing the winners an auction and raffle was held in aid of the European Angus Cattle Society’s chosen charity, ‘the Make A Wish Foundation’.
A total of £1,610 was raised on the night.
As part of that tremendous fund-raising effort guests at the Gala Dinner were able to bid to have the Supreme Champion steaks served up for four people at Coco Restaurant in Belfast. Also up for auction was dinner for four at Sally McNally’s Restaurant in Portadown with European Angus Great Taste Award Winning Steaks from Hannan Meats on the menu. At the County Armagh restaurant the steaks will be cooked by Gary Scott, the European Angus Steak Tasting Competition chef.
SEPARATE PANEL
2014 AWARD WINNERS
Supreme Champion Steaks: Modern Meats, Portadown
Over 15 Employees Category – Best Fillet: Dunbia, Dungannon
Best Sirloin: Clogher Valley Meats, Clogher
Best Rib-eye: Clogher Valley Meats, Clogher
Under 15 Employees Category – Best Fillet: Modern Meats, Portadown
Best Sirloin: Tener Brothers Family Butchers, Clogher
Best Rib-eye: Millar Meats, Irvinestown
Overall Champion beef sausage: R & J Family Butchers, Carrickfergus
Overall Champion gourmet beef sausage: Clogher Valley Meats, Clogher
Overall Champion beefburger: Park Butchers, Newtownhamilton
Over-15 Employees Category – Best beef sausage: Clogher Valley Meats, Clogher
Best gourmet beef sausage: Clogher Valley Meats, Clogher
Best beefburger: Gourmet Island, Newry
Under-15 Employees Category – Best beef sausage: R & J Family Butchers, Carrickfergus
Best gourmet beef sausage: Park Butchers, Newtownhamilton
Best beefburger: Park Butchers, Newtownhamilton
Issued on behalf of the European Angus Cattle Society by Incorporated Images.
For further information contact Alan Bailie, telephone 07517 463460.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
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The European Angus Cattle Society was formed in 2003 with the aim of further improving the eating and carcase quality of the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed.
As well as promoting purebred Aberdeen Angus stock the Society was formed with the aim of introducing Limousin bloodlines on a strictly controlled basis as part of a breed improvement programme. The European Angus Cattle Registration Company (EACR) was added to the United Kingdom list of recognised organisations and Associations maintaining Bovine Herds in 2004, becoming the first Society to be recognised in Northern Ireland for 12 years.
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The European Angus Steak Tasting Competition sponsored by Devenish Nutrition, whilst organised by the European Angus Cattle Society, is open to producers, processors and suppliers of all breeds of cattle.
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This is the fourth year of the competition but the first year a sponsor has been on board.
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Competition sponsor, Devenish Nutrition, headquartered in Belfast but with two sites in the United States, Iowa and Minnesota, is dedicated to the research, development and manufacture of quality premixes, pre-starters, starters and concentrates along with speciality products for the intensive livestock sector.
Issued on behalf of the European Angus Cattle Society by Incorporated Images.
For further information contact Alan Bailie, telephone 07517 463460.
