Taste is put to the test in the 2014 European Angus Steak Tasting Competition
Sponsored by Devenish Nutrition
Leading suppliers of top quality beef in Northern Ireland are battling it out to find the Province’s best steaks!
The heats and the final of the 2014 European Angus Steak Tasting Competition sponsored by Devenish Nutrition have taken place at CAFRE Loughry Campus in Cookstown and the countdown is now on to see who will be named ‘Supreme Champion’ in this the fourth year of the prestigious competition, which is open to all breeds of cattle.
Judging the six finalists in this year’s competition was head judge, Michele Shirlow, Chief Executive of Food NI.
The best fillet, sirloin and rib-eye steaks in the Under 15 and Over 15 employees categories had already been decided during the blind tasting heats and Michele was tasked with the job of selecting the Supreme Champion steak.
Commenting on her role as head judge Michele Shirlow said: “It was a very difficult job as all the steaks were excellent, each one having already been selected as a category winner.”
If you are wondering who got Michele’s vote in the taste ‘steaks’ you will have to wait a while longer as all will be revealed at a special charity Gala Dinner and Awards presentation evening being held at the Bannville House Hotel in Banbridge on Saturday, March 15.
Also to be revealed at the Awards night will be the winners of the beef sausage, gourmet beef sausage and beefburger categories of the EACS Devenish Nutrition sponsored event.
The judging of these categories, again carried out as blind tastings, was undertaken by members of Collone Young Farmers Club following the Steak Tasting final.
“While the steak heats are blind tasted by the various contestants we invite members of Young Farmers Clubs to judge the sausages and the beefburgers and this has proved very popular,” explained European Angus Cattle Society Secretary, Harry McGaffin.
This year, for the first time, the competition has a sponsor, leading agri-technology company Devenish Nutrition.
“The competition has grown year-on-year and to such an extent that the support of Devenish Nutrition has been both welcome and necessary,” added Harry.
Commenting on the company’s support for the event, Stephen Agnew, Ruminant Nutritionist at Devenish Nutrition said: “The Steak Tasting Competition is a great opportunity for the local industry to showcase the fantastic produce Northern Ireland has to offer and we are delighted to be involved.”
The winners of all classes, along with ‘the Supreme Champion’ will be revealed at the Awards Dinner.
Entertainment is being provided on the night and an auction and raffle will be held in aid of the European Angus Cattle Society’s chosen charity ‘The Make a Wish Foundation’.
Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased by contacting European Angus Cattle Society Secretary, Harry McGaffin on 0771 558 4887.
