Hosted on 4-5 September 2020 in Sacramento, California, the three nations will take a team of six butchers to compete against 12 other nations.
The competition, which is set to be held in the US for the very first time, is designed to test the nations’ butchery skills. Each country is given a side of beef, pork, a whole lamb and five chickens, which they must transform into a themed display of value-added products.
The meat products are judged based on their levels of creativity and innovation.
Danny Johnson, team captain of Butchers of America, said the addition of the three nations would bring about a raft of new opportunity for the competition.
“Thinking ahead to 2020, the fact these nations are on board brings on a new level of excitement,” said Johnson. “Not only to compete against them, but for the possibilities of friendships and mentorships that open up for me and my team mates – I’d love to visit Iceland and see how their shops work.”
Last year’s champion, Ireland, is set to take part in the competition once again after scooping the title in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2018. New Zealand and Australia, who have entered the competition since it launched in 2011, came second and third respectively.
According to the competition organisers, they are looking for a 16th nation to compete at the event.