After a successful debut in 2022, the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) once again captivates culinary professionals and consumers with the highly anticipated second edition of the National Butchery and Cooking Competition. This year's edition, in collaboration with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), showcases the diverse talents of Indonesian chefs and their mastery of Australian beef.

The collaboration with Trade and Investment Queensland introduces high-quality beef from Queensland, the largest cattle-producing state in Australia. The event aims not only to provide a platform for showcasing Indonesian chefs' talents but also to deepen their knowledge of the world of Australian beef.

In a thrilling culmination this afternoon, the winners of the competition were announced, adding an extra layer of excitement to the National Butchery and Cooking Competition's grand finale. These outstanding chefs, both young and professional, demonstrated exceptional culinary prowess and creativity throughout the competition.

The competition featured chefs divided into two categories: young chefs from culinary/tourism schools and professional chefs. Participants hailed from four major Indonesian cities: Jakarta, Bali & East Indonesia, Central Java, and West Java. Representatives from both young and professional chef categories from each city gathered for the grand final competition held at the Raffles Hotel Jakarta, following their victories in the previous semifinal rounds held in their respective cities.

The annual competition provides an opportunity for young and professional chefs to enhance their skills and knowledge of the quality and diversity of Australian beef cuts that meet Halal standards, ensuring not only safety but also nutritional excellence. The competition aligns with the broader mission of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and its global initiatives to educate trade organizations, inspire chefs, and build the Australian beef community in the region.

Valeska, MLA Regional Manager South-East Asia, expressed, "The enthusiasm and excitement from last year's competition inspired us to bring back the National Butchery and Cooking Competition to Indonesia this year. We want to offer this opportunity to young and professional chefs in Indonesia to deepen their knowledge of various cuts of Australian beef that can be prepared through various cooking methods, recognizing Indonesia's potential in both talent and industry. This can be beneficial for both talent and the industry as a platform to deliver quality products to consumers while learning about the best Australian beef."

Ben Giles, Trade and Investment Queensland Director, highlighted, "With the strong recovery of the hospitality and tourism sectors post-COVID, the culinary industry has experienced rapid demand growth. Considering Queensland is the largest cattle-producing state, we aim to position Queensland beef as the top choice in consumers' minds. Through this event, we strive to provide information about the variety and quality of diverse beef cuts among talented chefs. The exchange of gastronomic expertise during this event not only supports skill development but also builds lasting relationships in the continually evolving culinary landscape in Indonesia."

The competition took place through a series of programs in October and November in each city. In addition to the competition, the program included meat-cutting training to equip participants with knowledge about Australian beef cuts and cutting techniques before the cooking competition took place. After the training, winners of the semifinal rounds advanced to the Grand Final in Jakarta, where participants created menus using beef cuts from top sirloin, primal loin, or sub-primal sirloin - large muscles in the hindquarters known for their rich flavor.

In the Grand Final, the Young Chef category (from culinary schools) included teams from Universitas Podomoro (Jakarta), Politeknik Pariwisata Makassar (Bali & East Indonesia), Sekolah Budi Mulia (Central Java), and Akademi Pariwisata NHI Bandung (West Java). The four teams in the Professional Chef category consisted of Raffles Hotel (Jakarta), Holiday Inn (Bali & East Indonesia), Chandari Heaven (Central Java), and Meatshop & Gourmet Indoguna (West Java).

The total prize pool for the winners amounted to Rp 15 million, with each category's Champion 1 receiving Rp 7,500,000, Champion 2 receiving Rp 5,000,000, and Champion 3 receiving Rp 2,500,000.

The judging criteria for the grand final included taste, accounting for 50% of the scoring, followed by presentation, professional preparation, cleanliness and food residue, mise-en-place and work methods, and service. Similar to last year, renowned chefs served as judges, including Chet Vindex Tengker, Chef Gilles Marx, and Chef Stefu Santoso.

About Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) works in partnership with the Australian Government and the red meat industry to promote the long-term prosperity of Australia's red meat and livestock industry. MLA provides research, development, and marketing services that contribute to the profitability of producers, sustainability, and global competitiveness. MLA conducts marketing activities to grow demand for Australian red meat both domestically and internationally in over 100 markets, including Indonesia.

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About Aussie Beef & Lamb

Aussie Beef & Lamb (ABL), initiated by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), represents the finest quality Australian red meat, including beef, lamb, goat, and veal. Focusing on both Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C) segments, ABL serves as the primary means to promote and market Australian red meat in export markets worldwide. ABL is driven by the mission to ensure consumers consistently receive a high-quality supply of Australian red meat, supported by strong collaborations with farmers, exporters, retail partners, and food and beverage service providers, such as restaurants and food suppliers. ABL aims to build awareness and preference for Australian red meat by highlighting its superior attributes and differentiating it from competitors from other countries of origin (COO). We take pride in our commitment to food safety, halal certification, and industry development programs, ensuring high quality in the breeding, production, and delivery of Australian red meat worldwide.

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About Trade and Investment Queensland

Trade and Investment Queensland is the Queensland Government's dedicated global trade and investment agency. Trade and Investment Queensland has a global network with 18 international representation offices and 8 regional locations in Queensland. The agency connects Queensland with the world and the world with Queensland, fostering global business opportunities.