All-Ireland event showcases butchery skills

The first All-Ireland Butchery Expo is being held next month and is supported by Dunbia, the leading Northern Ireland meat processor.

Organised by Aughnacloy, county Tyrone-based Butchery Excellence Scheme (BES), the expo is Northern Ireland and Ireland's first-ever trade event to be specifically created for butchers.

Over 500 butchers from across Ireland are expected to attend the event in Monaghan in the Republic, which will be home to two days of competitions, features and over 35 industry-specific exhibitors.

Taking place on the 28th and 29th September, the event has been created by BES to address concerns on the increasing amount of legislation that's required by butchers. Visitors to the show will also gain useful tips on how to maximise sales via an informative Profit Shop Chat Show at the event.

"Through ongoing work in the food sector with butchers across the North and South of Ireland, it became clear that there were limited events in Ireland that were aimed specifically at those in the butchery trade," says Rhonda Montgomery, BES chief executive.

"We've created a trade expo that's specifically tailored to butchers' requirements. The event aims to be informative and enjoyable, with a range of features created to address sector-specific issues, skills learning and knowledge that will help butchers to enhance their businesses," she adds.

The Live Butcher Stage will host a programme of events, with top industry experts taking to the stage over the two days to deliver workshops and talks on topics ranging from Master Curing and Charcuterie, to live demonstrations on how to butcher a pig or create the perfect sausage.

Matthew Dobson, Dunbia managing director of Dunbia continues: "As one of the market leaders for supplying farm-assured beef, lamb and pork, both in Ireland and internationally, there's a great synergy with supporting Ireland's first two-day expo specifically aimed at those with in the butchery sector.

"At Dunbia, we aim to create better food naturally, and high quality and excellence are top of the agenda for us. These are values that we share with the Butchery Excellence Scheme and its members across the North and South of Ireland."

Also featuring is Ireland's first 72 oz steak eating challenge, which will see chefs pitted against butchers, as they aim to beat the World Record for steak eating.
August will also see the launch of a Butchery Excellence Scheme recipe booklet.

Coinciding with the NI Year of Food and Drink calendar, the recipe booklet is available in time to help celebrate 'Love NI Meat' month which covers the month of August and will contain 12 - 15 meat based recipes for cooks of all skill levels.

The Butchery Excellence Scheme, based in Aughnacloy, was developed to help butchers across the country keep on top of changes to legislation, food safety, food labelling, new product development, personal development, training and marketing.