An Irish steak has been crowned the “World’s Best Fillet” at international steak competition in Dublin on Wednesday. The winning steak, from grass-fed Angus cross reared in Limerick, was described by the judges of the World Steak Challenge as a “picture-perfect fillet with all the flavour to back it up”.
The fillet, sold by supermarket Aldi under their specially selected own label and produced by ABP Cahir, was one 75 accolades for Irish producers at the awards, which were being held in Ireland for the first time.
The World Steak Challenge, considers steaks from 25 countries and about 31 different breeds, all vying for medals and champion’s titles so it’s no mean feat to be crowned a winner.
Yesterday saw rigorous inspection of the 300-plus entries at Fire restaurant on Dawson Street by a panel of 40 judges made up of industry experts and knowledgeable consumers. They were overseen by the chair of judges, Richie Wilson, executive chef of Fire Restaurant and deputy-chair Ioannis Grammenos, the celebrated Greek chef and "meatologist".
The seven category title winners were announced at a ceremony in the Round Room of the Mansion House, with a steak from Finland securing the overall championship title of "Worlds Best Steak" for a second year running. The grass-fed ribeye is produced by JN Meat International of Denmark.
Ireland had not yet taken home a category title in this international competition but this year saw not only a first category accolade for the world’s best fillet, but Irish steaks also secured a record of 75 medals in the competition for 15 Irish producers.
The Larry Goodman-owned ABP Cahir took 18 medals in total including six golds, four silver and eight bronze medals. In the first year they entered, Redmond Family Farm in Craanford, Wexford, took silver for a grass-fed ribeye Angus and bronze for a grass-fed sirloin. Both their steaks are served at the Ashdown Park Hotel, Wexford. Higgins Butchers in Sutton, Co Dublin, won two silvers and James Whelan butchers took gold for their grass-fed sirloin Angus raised in Co Tipperary. FX Buckley Steakhouses took gold for their grass-fed Aberdeen Angus fillet, raised in Ireland and sold at their Dublin restaurants.
“Special”, was how Eoin Ryan of ABP Ireland described the win. “ABP Ireland is delighted to have achieved this great success for our certified Irish Angus fillet especially given the huge number of entries. We supply this premium steak to retail and food service customers in Ireland and Europe. The win is even more special given this is the first time the competition has been held in Ireland.”
The overall winner John Sashi-Nielsen, director of JN Meat International, said: “This is just great. I have loved travelling the world over the past year and now I will just have to keep doing it. It is all about the passion, the taste, the tenderness and the flavour.”
The World Steak Challenge is presented by Global Meat News, which is owned by William Reed Business Media, the company behind the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards and The International Wine Challenge. Success in the competition is a bonus to beef producers as it means they can use The World Steak Challenge stamp on their marketing and packaging of products.
The full list of Irish winning producers
Liffey Meats – three golds for fillet and ribeye steaks, all grass-fed and raised in Ireland, three silvers and one bronze
Musgrave – three golds for grass-fed fillet, sirloin and ribeye raised in Co Cork and one silver
ABP Ireland – six golds, four silver and eight bronze medals
Ashbourne Meats – gold for grass-fed fillet and one silver
Dawn Meats – two silver and one bronze
Dunbia UK – gold for a grass-fed Aberdeen Angus fillet raised in Scotland and two silvers.
Higgins Butchers, Sutton Co Dublin – two silver
James Whelan butchers – gold for grass-fed sirloin Angus raised in Co Tipperary and one silver
Kepak – gold for a grain fed sirloin SMX raised in Scotland, one silver and three bronze
Kerrigan's butchers, Dublin– silver for a grass-fed sirloin Waygu/Holstein.
Martin Jennings Wholesale – gold for grass-fed Aberdeen Angus cross fillet and two silver
Martin O'Dwyer Butcher – one bronze for a grass fed ribeye raised in Co Tipperary.
Ralvale Ltd T/A FX Buckley Steakhouses – gold for grass-fed Aberdeen Angus fillet, raised in Ireland and sold at their Dublin restaurant and two bronze.
Tendermeats Ltd – gold for a grass-fed ribeye Aberdeen Angus cross raised in Co Galway and available through Dunnes stores and one silver.
