The winners of the World Steak Challenge 2019 expressed what it means to win an award at this prestigious competition and how it will benefit their businesses.
Steffen Nagel, JN Meat International (JN) export and purchasing manager, spoke to Global Meat News about how winning the top prize in steak for the second year in a row felt.
“Winning the World Steak Challenge 2019 means that it is now confirmed that it was not a coincidence that we won last year. It will open up even more markets for JN, and it will open up for other products than the ones that won the competition.”
He said being announced as the World’s Best Steak will also help the price of the product. “It means that our products will be less sensitive in terms of pricing, because people are even more willing to pay the price, when it is a proven high quality product.”
Of course, how will they know that this product is an award-winning steak? Nagel said the business has that covered as well. “Stickers and brochures will include this fact while all outgoing correspondence will include winning logo and website.”
Dominance in the World Steak Challenge doesn’t seem to be enough for JN Meat International, as Nagel explains the market the business is eyeing up next. “We would like to open up sales to the USA, and new markets in Asia,” he explains. “The first incoming mails to JN Meat International after the WSC competition were from the US insisting to buy the World Steak Challenge winning beef.”
Other category winners on the night included ABP who picked up the award for Best Fillet as well as a plethora of medals. They were awarded 13 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze accolades across the different categories as well as the Best Fillet award.
Dave O’Connell, European commercial director of ABP said: “ABP is delighted to have received 41 awards, which included 27 awards for ABP Ireland. This is further endorsement of our Ultra Tender process that currently sees ABP beef served in over 200 Michelin starred restaurants across the world. It is also an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our teams in Ireland and across Europe.”
ABP said the awards “reaffirm its position as the leading beef processor in the EU”.
For a full list of winners at this year's World Steak Challenge, click here.