World Butchers’ Challenge 2020 venue confirmed

11-Apr-2019 - Last updated on 11-Apr-2019 at 10:59 GMT

The World Butchers’ Challenge 2020 is to take place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, organisers have confirmed.

Billed as the world’s most technologically advanced and sustainable arena, it is home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

The World Butchers’ Challenge will be held on 5 September 2020 following the World Champion Butcher Apprentice and Young Butcher competition the day before.

The competition was first held in 2011 as a challenge between Australia and New Zealand. In 2013, the UK was invited to enter a team. It then expanded to four teams with the introduction of France in 2016, before growing to 12 teams in 2018. Team Ireland is the current holder of the World Butchers’ Challenge title, having won it on home soil. In 2020, 16 teams will compete (see box).

World Butchers’ Challenge chair Rod Slater praised the decision to host the competition at the Golden 1 Center.

“Not only is this arena visually spectacular, the underpinning principles and programmes it delivers really align with what we’re about – celebrating food and passionate producers,” said Slater. “Sacramento is really welcoming us with open arms and, I can assure you, the best butchers in the world will put on a show like no other.

“Sixteen teams from across the globe will have three hours to transform a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens into a themed display of value-added cuts. Imagine all this taking place in the same amphitheatre as an NBA game or rock concert; this is a world first.”

Sacramento Kings chief operating officer Matina Kolokotronis added: “The World Butchers’ Challenge will bring a new, exciting display of creativity, innovation and competition that Sacramento hasn’t seen before. To have such an elite, global competition visit America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital is an honour and we are ready to welcome them here at Golden 1 Center.”