Location for World Butchers’ Challenge 2020 revealed
It won following a bidding process that has been running since March of this year.
The Butchers of America placed its bid for 2020 in conjunction with the tourism board – Visit Sacramento.
“We’re thrilled that the World Butchers’ Challenge has set its sights on Sacramento for its 2020 competition,” said Visit Sacramento president and CEO Mike Testa. “Our region’s thriving food scene and focus on fresh and local cuisine align strongly with such a prestigious event, and we look forward to working with the World Butchers’ Challenge team over the coming months to explore the possibilities in Sacramento.”
The planning committee for the 2020 World Butchers’ Challenge is considering August or September 2020 to host the competition, which will also include a study tour on which the teams and accompanying delegates will tour Sacramento, visiting butchers’ shops, farms and restaurants while also taking the opportunity to network.
The number of competing teams is expected to grow from 12 to 15 as are entries into the World Champion Young Butcher and Apprentice Competition, which takes place prior to the main event. These two categories, modelled on the same concept as the World Butchers’ Challenge, are individual competitions that recognise and reward upcoming talent in the industry.
The World Butchers’ Challenge 2018 was held in Belfast, Ireland and was won by the home team. Ireland, Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand have already confirmed their entry into the 2020 competition.
World Butchers’ Challenge Council chairman Rod Slater expressed amazement at how the competition has grown since 2011.
“When I first dreamed up this idea in 2011, it was a humble competition between New Zealand and Australia, a Trans-Tasman test-match of sorts,” he said. “But the fact we’ll now have butchers from all corners of the world competing against each other – in a nation that does big the best – that’s something really special.”
The entry process will open on 1 September.
