Tim shows he’s a cut above the rest at butchers’ competition

A YOUNG Kanturk man helped Ireland to an impressive fourth place in the International Young Butcher Competition in Zurich.

Tim McCarthy of McCarthy Butchers, along with Declan O’Rourke of The Food Experience in Sligo and support member Marc Ryan of Tomas Kinsella Butchers, Gorey, Co Wexford, surprised the opposition with their performance.

It was the first time the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland, formed in 1999, had sent team to compete in the two-day event.

The Irish came fourth behind France, Germany and the home team, Switzerland.

No country has ever done so well with its first entry.

An indication of the scale of the achievement is the fact that there are 25,000 and 40,000 butchers in France and Germany respectively.

Martin Carey, a craft butcher from Bandon, a member of the panel of judges, who did not adjudicate on their own country, said he felt the Irish team members had done themselves proud.

With a bit of luck they could easily have pushed their way into the top three, he said.

Team member Tim McCarthy described the competition as a tremendous challenge and a great experience.

“You never know how good you are until you are up against the best. We were delighted with the outcome,” said the Kanturk man.

ACBI chief executive Pat Brady thanked the sponsors, mentors and project manager John Molloy for all their work for the team.

The competition was important to the ACBI at large and also promotes the strong image of Irish meat.

Mr Brady said the team's achievement was a potent statement of the confidence the exists in the Irish craft meat sector and shops.

It was also evidence that the sector’s young butchers are well up to competing with the best in the world, he said.

Team sponsors included Bord Bia, Atlanta Sharptech, the National Food Centre, UCC, Spring Grove Services, UBF Foodsolutions, Cuisine de France and Kanturk Credit Union.