A Manawatu meat maestro will be representing the region at a trans-Tasman battle of the butchers.
In knife-edge conditions, Marcus Waldman sliced and flavoured his way on to the national representative team of five butchers during a final meat-off in Auckland on Monday.
During the competition the squad of 10 was whittled down to the final five who would compete against Australia in a butchery test match on March 25.
Marcus Waldman's sharp skills helped him carve out a range of beef and lamb meat cuts, including ribs, crown roast and stuffed lamb.
This bloke is no silly sausage – he trained with prestigious Randalls Butcher in London before returning to Palmerston North two years ago.
The Mad Butcher assistant manager now spends his time producing and chopping some of the best meat cuts in Manawatu.
Mr Waldman said he was also in hot demand whenever there was a family barbecue to fry or roast to carve.
And this top butcher certainly does not agree with the controversial gassing of meat to make it last longer.
"If you're going to age your meat it is going to be natural," he said.
His team was judged on their technical ability throughout the butchery process, from boning to display as well as safety and hygiene and innovation.
Retail Meat NZ manager Fiona Greig said the trial was a test of the butchers' practical ability.
"The standard was incredibly high – these men are a credit to our industry. Those going on to the final will give the Aussies a run for their money."
The final test match would be held at the Retail Meat NZ Conference in Christchurch.
