Jack's Creek and Australia retain World Steak Challenge title

By Aidan Fortune

- Last updated on GMT

Patrick Warmoll and Frank Albers proudly display their World Steak Challenge trophies
Patrick Warmoll and Frank Albers proudly display their World Steak Challenge trophies

Related tags World steak challenge Beef Australia

Jack’s Creek has retained the title of the World’s Best Steak Producer. 

Entered by Albers GMBH and produced by Jack’s Creek of Australia, the winning steak was revealed at an event in The Lookout, Hyde Park in London. The steak came from an Wagyu F2+ 75% aged for 30 months and grain fed.

With 83 entries from 17 different countries, the competition to be crowned the World's Best Steak was bigger than ever.

Chair of judges and butcher Keith Boxley said the winning steak picked up the top prize thanks to its all-round quality. “Every gold medal winner was worthy of winning the top prize but the overall winner was outstanding. It scored highly on appearance, quality, taste and tenderness.”

He explained what consumers are looking for in terms of meat. "People are getting more selective about the meat they eat and they want something more prepared. As a butcher judging this competition, I'm looking for something that looks and tastes nice that has no gristle."

Rod Addy, editor of GlobalMeatNews, said: “The high quality of entries this year is a testament to the hard work put in by producers around the world. The fact we had so many more entries this year highlights the pride that they take in their product and the eagerness to win such an accolade. For a producer to retain the title of World’s Best Steak is an amazing achievement and shows a high level of consistency in production.”

Patrick Warmoll, managing director of Jack’s Creek, was overwhelmed to win the award for the second time. “We spend a bit more time selecting the entry and this win confirms that we’re the best in the world again.

“Winning last year was one of the biggest things to happen to us. Our brand awareness has just exploded since winning and it’s been great for business. This is as much a win for Australia as it is for us.

Frank Albers of Albers GMBH which entered the steak into the competition said this win proved the producer had hit upon a winning formula. "We’re stunned and didn’t believe it would happen,”​ he said. “It’s the perfect combination of genetics with the right amount of marbling. It’s the right concept for the best steak.”

Albers added that this might put more pressure on them in the future. “We may have to justify ourselves and the competition but once people taste our steak, they’ll understand. We’ll definitely be back next year.”

Warmoll agreed that they won’t be resting on their laurels. “We’ll be going for the hat-trick!”

Josh Anderson of Meat & Livestock Australia said the standard of entries was higher than last year. "It was hard to increase the standard on last year but the producers have managed to do it. There were more entries this year which is positive. It's a tribute to the farmers the level of quality on display."

With Australia winning two years on the trot, Anderson said steak and the World Steak Challenge has become mainstream news. "There is a desire for good beef and the World Steak Challenge showcases this."

Jeff Wood, formerly of the University of Bristol, said the competition was stiff this year. "This was my second year judging the World Steak Challenge and the standard was as high this year. All of the steaks were tender and tasted great, making it a tough competition to judge."

The organisers would like to thank official supplier Beefsteak Club and reception sponsor Wagyu Japanese Beef for their support.

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Entrant Company Name

Producer Company Name

Country of Origin 

Breed 

Feed Regime 

Age at Time of Slaughter

ABP Poland

ABP Poland

Poland

Simmental Cross

Grain-based diet  

26 months

Morrisons Supermarkets

Morrisons Supermarkets 

Scotland

Shorthorn Cross

Grass and concentrates 

25 months 26 days

Hannan Meats

Hannan Meats

Northern Ireland

Aberdeen Angus

Grass fed

24 months

ALBERS GmbH

Jack's Creek

Australia

F2+ Wagyu

Grained 450 days

30 months

Scotbeef 

Scotbeef Ltd 

Scotland

Aberdeen Angus 

Homegrown barley, carrots, turnips, potatoes, wheat, grass silage

678 days

Australian Agricultural Company

Australian Agricultural Company (AACo)

Australia

Wagyu Cross

Raised on grass, finished on grain

Three years

Hannan Meats

Hannan Meats

Northern Ireland

Shorthorn

Grass fed

28 months

JBS Global

JBS Global

Australia

Angus X (JBS Royal Brand)

120-day grain finished

27 months

2 Sisters Red Meat

2 Sisters Red Meat

Wales

South Devon

The cattle are fed for 12 months on grass and finished on grass & maize silage with forage roots.

27 Months

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Entrant Company Name

Producer Company Name

Country of Origin 

Breed

Feed Regime

Age at Time of Slaughter

Vacum Luxury Beef

Vacum SL

Spain

Rubia Gallega Cow

Grass fed

9 years

GOURMETFLEISCH.DE

GOURMETFLEISCH.DE

New Zealand

Wagyu 

Grass feed

30-36 months

Onley Food Group

Onley Farms 

England

Friesian x Holstein

Home grown mixed ration

 

Teys Australia Pty 

Teys Australia Pty Ltd

Australia

Angus

Grain fed

24 months

JBS Global

JBS Global

Paraguay

Angus Cross (Quality Meat Brand)

Pasture fed

30 months

Whelan Food & Meat Processors

Whelan Food & Meat Processors

Ireland

Full Blood Wagyu

Grass fed, grain finished

47.7 months

Zandbergen World's Finest Meat

Jack's Creek

Australia

100% Black Angus

150+ days grain fed

20 months

Zandbergen World's Finest Meat

Tyson International Inc. (European Office)

United States

Black Angus Prime

120+ days grain fed

< 24 months

ABP Food Group

ABP Food Group

Scotland

Aberdeen Angus Cross

Grass-based grazing in the Scottish summer, with harvested fermented forage and cereal ration in the winter months, when housed. 

16 months, 14 days

Martin Jennings Wholesale Ltd

Martin Kennedy

Ireland

Aberdeen Angus Cross

Natural west of Ireland grass fed

27 months

Liffey Meats

Liffey Meats

Ireland

Hereford Cross

Grass

25 months

Signature Beef - "Oino Gustus"

Signature Beef Pty Ltd

Australia

Angus x Belmont Red Composite

Pasture raised for 18-20 months, lucerne progression for 3 months, followed by high energy grain ration for 4 months

26 months

BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS

Entrant Company Name

Producer Company Name

Country of Origin 

Breed

Feed Regime

Age at Time of Slaughter

JBS Global

JBS Global

Uruguay

Hereford Cross (Hereford Reserve brand).

120-day grain finished

24 months

SuperValu

Kepak Group

Ireland

Hereford

Grass fed

27 months

Morrisons Supermarkets 

Morrisons Supermarkets Plc

Scotland

Shorthorn Cross

Grass and concentrates 

17 months 12 days

Jan Zandbergen b.v.

NH FOODS Australia PTY LTd.

Australia

Angus

200 day Grainfed

24 months

Danish Crown UK

Danish Crown UK

Germany

Angus Cross

Grass and grain fed

28 months

Scotbeef 

Scotbeef Ltd

Scotland

Aberdeen Angus

Homegrown silage (grass), barley and straw

797 days

JBS Global

JBS Global

Australia

Wagyu (Tajima brand)

300 day grain fed

29 months

JN Meat International

JN Meat International

Finland

Holstein Friesian

Grass fed

30 months

JBS Global

JBS Global

Argentina

Angus Cross (Plate Brand)

Pasture fed

26 months

Giraudi Meats

Creekstone Farms

United States

American Black Angus

Corn-fed for 140 days

18-20 months

Luiten Food BV

Thomas Foods International

Australia

British Breeds

Minimum 100 days grain fed

Up to 30 Months

Hannan Meats

Hannan Meats

Northern Ireland

Shorthorn

Grass fed

28 months

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