Bringing home the best bacon

Bringing home the best bacon

Christchurch Butchery Crowned Supreme Winner of the 100% NZ Bacon Award 2014

Colin Horton, Jason Columbus and Tom Coughlan – Independent Meat Processors.
Colin Horton, Jason Columbus and Tom Coughlan – Independent Meat Processors.

Independent Meat Processors’ Manuka smoked streaky bacon has been named Bacon of Year in the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Competition 2014, beating 168 other bacon entries and 60 other butcheries for the top title.

The Christchurch based company is a large scale meat processor, supplying bacon and ham products to hundreds of food service businesses, restaurants and hotels throughout the lower South Island.

Owner Tom Coughlan is delighted about the win and says it’s all down to the incredibly talented butchers he has on board.

“Our 23 butchers are all locals and the majority of them have been with the company since we were first established 12 years ago. They come with a strong skill set, many have owned their own businesses, have an incredible work ethic and ultimately take pride in what they do. They look for the very best cuts of pork, then they work their magic to produce award winning bacon.

“We have had success in the past with multiple category wins, but taking out NZ’s Bacon of the Year validates the quality of the product we are putting out and we are incredibly proud of what we have been able to achieve.”

Independent Meat Processors also scooped a Bronze medal for their Manuka smoked sliced (bone-in) ham.

Head judge, Anita Sarginson, was thrilled to represent the judging panel again this year.

“This competition really highlights exceptional craftsmanship. It’s about showcasing the artisan products and the technical skill and ability of our butchers. Ultimately the Bacon of the Year was unanimously judged as deliciously sweet and tender. The texture was perfect and it left a moist taste that lingered in your mouth.”

The 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition is contested over five categories: Middle, Dry-Cured Middle; Shoulder; Streaky; and Middle-Eye.

This year, Gold awards went to Pokeno Bacon (Auckland), Peter Timbs Meats (Christchurch), Westend New World (Bay of Plenty) and Ellesmere Butchery (Christchurch); with Independent Meat Processors taking out the 100% New Zealand Bacon of the Year with their Manuka smoked streaky bacon.

The 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Competition was established to celebrate New Zealand’s finest cured pork products and to help customers identify and appreciate local, sustainable bacon and ham, and support NZ pork producers.

Winners by category:

100% NEW ZEALAND BACON OF THE YEAR 2014

Tom Coughlan of Independent Meat Processors, Christchurch

100% NZ Middle Bacon

Gold – Helen and John Clotworthy, Pokeno Bacon, Pokeno, Auckland

Joint Silver – Murray “Buzz” Sattler of Buzz the Butcher, New Plymouth

Joint Silver – Rob Cameron and Simon Harrison, of Cameron Harrison, Wellington

Bronze – Brydon Heller of Hellers Ltd, Kaiapoi, Canterbury

100% NZ Shoulder Bacon

Gold – Chris Timbs of Peter Timbs Meats Ltd, Richmond, Christchurch

Silver – Chris & Sue Brown, Ellesmere Butchery, Leeston, Canterbury

Joint Bronze – Tony Smith, Farmer Jones Ltd, Tauranga

Joint Bronze – Angus Black, Harrington Small Goods, Miramar, Wellington

100% NZ Streaky Bacon

Gold – Tom Coughlan, Independent Meat Processors, Christchurch

Silver – Nigel Jackson, Mercury Bay Meats, Coromandel Peninsula (First time winners)

Bronze – David Rossiter, Westmere Butchery, Westmere, Auckland

100% NZ Middle-Eye Bacon

Gold – Greg Dyson, Westend New World, Bay of Plenty

Silver – Greg Dyson, Westend New World, Bay of Plenty

Joint Bronze – Helen & John Clotworthy, Pokeno Bacon, Auckland

Joint Bronze – Ragupathy Nadason (Sam), Sam’s Butchery, Silverdale, Auckland

100% NZ Dry-Cured Middle Bacon

Gold – Chris & Sue Brown, Ellesmere Butchery, Leeston, Canterbury

Silver – Chris Beach, Cattermoles Butchery, Kaiapoi, Canterbury

Bronze – Rob Lees, Warkworth Butchery, Warkworth (First time winners)

100% NZ Peoples’ Choice Award

Helen and John Clotworthy, Pokeno Bacon, Auckland

For more information on 100% NZ Bacon, Ham and Pork go to www.nzpork.co.nz.

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