Victoria's Best Bacon Revealed at Australian Pork Launch
Victoria’s Best Aussie Bacon has been revealed ahead of International Bacon Day and Father’s Day this weekend. Australian Pork Limited General Manager of Marketing, Peter Haydon, said the Australian Bacon Awards were held annually to celebrate the very best bacon made from 100% Aussie pork. The World Loves Melbourne attended the media launch in Sydney at hot restaurant A1 Canteen.
Showcasing bacon at its best A1 Canteen produced some memorable dishes at the breakfast event. Of course bacon is popular not just at breakfast and we are seeing bacon feature in dishes across the country for all day as well as dinner menus.
A1 Canteen kitchen action; they produced superb bacon dishes.
“Celebrate the smoky flavour and crispy crunch this weekend by serving up delicious Aussie bacon from brekky, lunch, dinner or even dessert,” Mr Haydon said. “To help you celebrate, we’ve just named the state and nation’s best Australian bacon!”
Specialist judges, Fleischmeister Horst Schurger and chefs Simon Bestley and Adam Moore, assessed the appearance, aroma and taste of 125 entries. Great to be a judge!
Peter G Bouchier, Moorabbin, took out the Best Short Cut Bacon in Victoria, with judges commending the bacon for its excellent cure process, perfect and neat appearance, good balance and smoke taste. Little Creek Cattle Company, Coldstream, placed second, while Barkley Smokehouse, Thornbury, rounded out top three.
How good does this bacon look; sneak peek in the kitchen!
In the full rasher competition, top honours went to Montrose Meats for its very neat appearance, great aroma, very good taste and balance. Second place went to Rob’s British Butchers, Dandenong, with Bertocchi Gold, Thomastown, in third.
The prestigious title of Australia’s Best Bacon went to Campbell’s Superior Meats, West Pymble, for its short cut bacon, which took out the NSW and national titles, while the best Australian full rasher was from Big Country Meats n Foods, Coffs Harbour.
“Congratulations to these winners and to all the entrants, who put forward some great entries that showcased beautiful true blue bacon,” Mr Haydon said. “Many people are shocked to learn that 70 per cent of bacon sold here is made from imported pork, but these awards showcase the great tasting, high quality products that are available.
“When you buy your bacon, remember to check it’s made with 100% Australian pork by looking for the pink PorkMark logo, or read the label to ensure it’s at least 70% Australian ingredients.”
Colin Fassnidge iconic Australian chef and PorkStar with Kylie Edwards from Australian Pork.
Join in the celebrations this weekend, 1 and 2 September 2018 and share the #aussiebaconisbest joy on social media. For all the results, recipe inspiration and more information, visit www.pork.com.au
And the winners are…
VICTORIA
Short cut
1. Peter G Bouchier, Moorabbin, Vic
2. Little Creek Cattle Company, Coldstream, Vic
3. Barkly Smokehouse, Thornbury, Vic
Full rasher
1. Montrose Meats/Montrose Smokehouse, Montrose, Vic
2. Rob’s British Butchers, Dandenong, Vic
3. Bertocchi Gold, Thomastown, Vic
NATIONAL
Overall winner
Campbell’s Superior Meats, West Pymble, NSW
Short cut
1. Campbell’s Superior Meats, West Pymble, NSW
2. Perry’s Quality Meats, Smithton, Tasmania
3. Elite Meats, Holt, ACT
Full rasher
1. Big Country Meats n Foods, Coffs Harbour, NSW
2. Leabrook Quality Meats, Leabrook, SA
3. Meatways Butchery, Kambah, ACT
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS INCLUDE:
Stokehouse St Kilda, Vic
Head on down for squid cooked in bacon, raw mushroom, crunchy bacon and bacon skin pil pil, available for International Bacon Day, Saturday 1 September.