Brett Laws, a butcher from Pryde Meats in Ryde, has emerged victorious at the World Butcher Wars 2024, claiming the title of Best Butcher in the World.
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The prestigious competition, held on July 20-21 at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, UK, as part of the Smoke & Fire Festival, saw 24 competitors from 14 countries vying for the top honour.
Laws, who serves as Assistant Manager at Pryde Meats, comes from a lineage of butchers, with both his father and brother also in the trade. His win was announced by his employer through an Instagram post, celebrating his “exceptional skills and dedication to the craft” that have now “set a new standard in the industry.”
The path to victory was no easy feat. Laws received a life-changing phone call earlier this year, informing him of his selection to represent Australia in the Butcher Wars.
Recognising the magnitude of the challenge ahead, he dedicated himself wholly to preparation. “I know I was coming up against the best of the best,” Laws recounted. “I stayed focused for the last 5 months building my display, working on products weekly and sacrificing my family time so I could do the best I could.”
The competition was intense, with each butcher or pair allocated a saddle of pork and a side of lamb. Competitors had just 30 minutes to showcase their skills, being judged on final appearance, creativity, technique, and speed.
Laws’ display, themed around the “Atlantis underworld,” was a testament to his innovation and artistry. It featured rolled and stuffed pork loin, pork belly, lamb legs, pork ‘cheesecake,’ and lamb ‘sushi’ rolls. In a unique touch that caught the judges’ attention, the display even incorporated live goldfish.
When the results were announced, the emotion of the moment overwhelmed Laws. “When I found out I won, I broke down in tears because I knew how much it meant to myself, my family, and all the hard work from a lot of people had gone into this moment,” he shared.
The World Butcher Wars attracted competitors from across Europe, North and South America, and the Australasia region. A panel of judges from New Zealand, Brazil, the UK, and Australia, each with extensive industry knowledge and experience, evaluated the contestants’ work.
Laws’ triumph is not just a personal achievement but a point of pride for Australia’s butchery industry. As a member of the Australian Butchery Team, he has demonstrated the high standards and innovation present in the country’s meat industry.
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Looking ahead, Laws is set to continue representing Australia on the global stage. He is part of the national team slated to compete in the next World Butchers Challenge in France next year, where he will have another opportunity to showcase his world-class skills.
Published 20-August-2024
