QUEENSLAND’s best bacon has been revealed ahead of International Bacon Day and Father’s Day this weekend.
Australian Pork Limited marketing manager Peter Haydon said the annual Australian Bacon Awards celebrated the very best bacon made from 100 per cent Aussie pork.
Barritt’s Butchery, Svensson Heights in Bundaberg, took out the Queensland titles for Best Full Rasher and Best Short Cut bacons.
Specialist judges, fleischmeister Horst Schurger and chefs Simon Bestley and Adam Moore, assessed the appearance, aroma and taste of 125 entries, noting Barritt’s bacon as having a nice shape, mild balanced and smoky taste and a very good aroma.
In the short cut category, Westridge and The Ridge Meats, Toowoomba, took second place, with Master Butchers Whitsunday, Airlie Beach, third. Loveday’s Quality Meats, Burleigh Waters, took second in the full rasher, with Schulte’s, Plainland, third.
The prestigious title of Australia’s Best Bacon went to Campbell’s Superior Meats, West Pymble, for its short cut bacon, which took out the NSW and national titles, while the best Australian full rasher was from Big Country Meats n Foods, Coffs Harbour.
“Congratulations to these winners and to all the entrants, who put forward some great entries that showcased beautiful true blue bacon,” Mr Haydon said.
“Many people are shocked to learn that 70pc of bacon sold here is made from imported pork, but these awards showcase the great tasting, high quality products that are available.
“When you buy your bacon, remember to check it’s made with 100pc Australian pork by looking for the pink PorkMark logo, or read the label to ensure it’s at least 70pc Australian ingredients.”
Results
Queensland. Short cut: 1. Barritt’s Butchery, Bundaberg. 2. Westridge & The Ridge Meats, Toowoomba. 3. Master Butchers Whitsunday, Airlie Beach. Full rasher: 1. Barritt’s Butchery, Bundaberg. 2. Loveday’s Quality Meats, Burleigh Waters. 3. Schulte’s, Plainland.
National. Overall winner: Campbell’s Superior Meats, West Pymble, NSW. Short cut: 1. Campbell’s Superior Meats. 2. Perry’s Quality Meats, Smithton, Tasmania. 3. Elite Meats, Holt, ACT. Full rasher: 1. Big Country Meats n Foods, Coffs Harbour, NSW. 2. Leabrook Quality Meats, Leabrook, SA. 3. Meatways Butchery, Kambah, ACT.