Welsh youngster to defend butchery title

Tomos Hopkin from Ponty Butchers, Pontardawe, is putting his name forward for this year’s contest, which will be held at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Llanelwedd on Tuesday, 30 November.

Having been employed in the butchery industry for just three months when he became champion last year, Tomos will again be out to impress judges with his skills when it comes to producing the best cuts of Welsh Lamb and Elan Valley Mutton.

“I know it’s going to be a lot harder this year, because everybody will have upped their game, but I’m really looking forward to the competition,” he said. “I am very proud to be Welsh champion and it would mean so much to me to retain the title. I have only been in the industry for a year, but it has been really rewarding.”

Open to butchers under the age of 23 on 1 January this year, who work or study in Wales, the contest aims to showcase the very best traditional butchery skills in Wales.

Now in its fourth year, the competition is organised by award-winning training provider Cambrian Training Company, which is supported by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.

Entry to the competition is still open, and applicants are asked to highlight, in 250 words, some of the benefits of offering traditional cuts of Welsh Lamb and mutton to existing and new customers. They must include proposed cuts, cooking methods, a recipe where appropriate and photographs to demonstrate cuts and presentation techniques.

Four finalists will be selected from their applications, which must be received by Cambrian Training Company’s marketing manager Katy Davies katy@cambriantraining.com by 19 November. The form can be downloaded from www.cambriantraining.com.

The finalists will be set the task of presenting a range of oven-ready cuts of meat for the retail market. Apart from the prestige of becoming national champion, the winner will receive £200 prize money and a trophy. The runner-up will collect £100 and the other finalists will receive £25 each.

Cambrian Training Company’s managing director Arwyn Watkins said: “Tomos impressed the judges last year by working methodically and producing really clean cuts with no waste.

“Hopefully, other talented young Welsh butchers will follow his example and put their names forward to challenge him this year.”

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