2022 Hellers Sharp Blacks
We’re thrilled to announce that Reuben has been selected for the Hellers Sharp Blacks, New Zealand’s national butchery team. This elite team of seven butchers brings together the very best talent from across the country, and in September they’ll represent Aotearoa at the World Butchers' Challenge, in Sacramento, California.
Often referred to as the “Olympics of Butchery,” the biennial event will see 14 international teams go head-to-head in a test of speed, skill and creativity. Each team must break down a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens, all within a nerve-wracking three hours and fifteen minutes. The challenge doesn’t stop there: the cuts must be transformed into a themed display of value-added products designed to inspire and impress.
Teams can showcase their own seasonings, spices, marinades and garnishes, pushing the boundaries of innovation while still creating products that are practical, cookable and retail-ready. Every detail counts, with independent judges scoring competitors on technique, workmanship, innovation, presentation and overall finish.
Selection for the Sharp Blacks is about more than individual skill. Each butcher must also bring teamwork, resilience and composure under pressure - qualities Reuben has in spades. His inclusion in the 2022 team is recognition of his outstanding talent and commitment to the craft and we couldn’t be prouder.
We’ll be cheering him and the Sharp Blacks on as they take the world stage this September!
Results update: The Hellers Sharps Blacks placed third!
At the 2022 World Butchers’ Challenge, held on 3 September at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, the Hellers Sharp Blacks put in a stellar performance on the global stage. Competing against the world’s best, they secured an impressive third place overall. The German Butcher Wolfpack claimed the prestigious Friedr. Dick Golden Knife Trophy, with the Makani Australian Butcher Team taking second. The Sharp Blacks’ podium finish reinforced New Zealand’s reputation as one of the top butchery nations in the world.
