FAR NORTH STEAK NAMED BEST IN NZ

An Limousin/Angus steak from Whangarei has beaten off 400 entries to be named the nation's tastiest steak in the 2010 Meat & Wool New Zealand Steak of Origin.

Sisters, Kathy Child and Yvonne Hill's steak was crowned winner after a fiercely-contested tasting by BMX World Champion, Sarah Walker, ex-All Black, Jamie Mackay, of Radio Sport and Newstalk ZB together with top chefs Hester Guy and Graham Hawkes.

The Steak of Origin, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Genetics, is in its eighth year and is seen by many as the pinnacle of beef tasting competitions.

Sarah Walker says the chance to be a judge was an "awesome opportunity."

"I'd never turn down a chance to eat the best steaks in the country! They all tasted brilliant; it was hard to select a winner," she says.

The Grand Champion sisters have taken home the Meat & Wool New Zealand Steak of Origin trophy, the original competition shield reinstated after its use from 1949 - 1999, and a cheque for $6,500.

The Supreme Brand Award went to Chef's Choice in Wanganui with their AngusPure steak.

The winning Processor was awarded to Auckland Meat Processors.

The full results of the final are as follows:

CLASS 1: BEST OF EUROPEAN BREED

1st: Tony & Glennis Thompson, Waipukurau (Simmental) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Hastings
2nd: Natalie & David Roberts, Whangarei (Limousin) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby
3rd: Peter & Sue McWilliam, Masterton (Gelbvieh) processed at Taylor Preston/Ken Wilson Meats, Wellington
4th: John & Sarah Hammond, Kaitaia (Simmental) processed at Silver Fern Farms, Dargaville

CLASS 2: BEST OF BRITISH BREED

1st: Forbes & Angus Cameron, Ashhurst (Angus) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd, Wanganui
2nd: Tim Wilding, Parnassus (Angus) processed at South Pacific Meats, Christchurch
3rd: Chris & Karren Biddles, Te Kopuru (Angus) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby
4th: John Morrison, Marton (Ezicalve Hereford) processed at Taylor Preston/Ken Wilson Meats, Wellington

CLASS 3: BEST OF CROSSBREED & OTHER

1st: Kathy Child & Yvonne Hill, Whangarei (Limousin/Angus X) processed at Auckland Meat Processors/Wilson Hellaby
2nd: Mike van der Hoeven, Te Awamutu (Hereford/Wagyu X) processed at AgResearch, Ruakura, Hamilton
3rd: Colin Brown, Cambridge (Piedmontese/Simmental X) processed at AgResearch, Ruakura, Hamilton
4th: Clem Smith, Eketahuna (Murray Grey/Angus X) processed at Land Meat NZ Ltd, Wanganui

CLASS 4: BEST OF BRAND (RETAIL)

1st: Magills Butchery, Te Awamutu (Hereford Prime) from Graelyn Farms
2nd: Ellesmere Butchery, Leeston (Piedmontese) from farm of Charlie Stephens
3rd: Harris Meats, Cheviot (Angus X) from farm of Rex Miller
4th: Chef's Choice, Wanganui (AngusPure) from farm of Nikki Williamson and Rob Purdie

CLASS 5: BEST OF BRAND (WHOLESALE AND FOODSERVICE)

1st: Chef's Choice, Wanganui (AngusPure) from farm of Rob Johnstone
2nd: Westmeat/Riverlands, Eltham (Angus) from farm of Holesworth Paringahaw
3rd: Progressive, Southmore (FarmPure Certified Premium Angus) from farm of Dave Redmond
4th: AE Preston & Co Ltd, Wellington (Angus) from farm of Rotopiko Trust

For more information contact Fiona Greig, Beef + Lamb New Zealand on 021 133 1702 or 09 489 0877 or email fionag@beeflambnz.co.nz. Photos available on request.