Eddie Quilty of ABP Cahir Ireland, World Steak Challenge 2019 Champion John Sashi-Nielsen, director of JN Meat International (Finland) and Aaron Hofman of Jack’s Creek Australia pictured at the awards ceremony in Dublin, Ireland

Irish producers secure a record 75 medals this year at The World Steak Challenge 

An Irish bred Fillet steak, produced by ABP Cahir, was ) crowned the World’s Best Fillet Steak at the World Steak Challenge 2019.

The winning Fillet, which was produced and entered by ABP Cahir Ireland, is a grass-fed Angus cross reared in Limerick.

The steak beat international competition to secure Ireland’s first ever category title in the annual competition.

The award was presented by Chair of the Judges Richie Wilson to ABP Cahir Ireland before an audience of 250 guests in the historic Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin.

It is the first time the World Steak Challenge has been held in Ireland, supported this year by Official Host Partner Bord Bia and venue FIRE Steakhouse & Bar.

It was an incredible night for ABP Cahir Ireland which secured 18 medals in total including six golds, four silver and eight bronze medals.

Aidan Fortune, the editor of Global Meat News which organised the event, said:

“This is Ireland’s first category win in the competition with a real quality steak. This was an extraordinarily close competition and ABP Cahir came very close to the overall winner.”

Chair of the judges Richie Wilson, executive head chef of FIRE Steakhouse restaurant, said:

“It was a remarkably pretty steak. It had a perfect strip of fat running along the edge and was delicately marbled. This was a picture perfect Fillet with all the flavour to back it up.”

Eoin Ryan of ABP Ireland said:

“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.”

It was Finland who secured the overall championship title of ‘World’s Best Steak’ for a second year running with a grass fed Rib Eye produced by JN Meat International of Denmark.

Richie Wilson chair of judges with World Steak Challenge 2019 Champion John Sashi-Nielsen, director of JN Meat International (Finland) pictured Dublin championships with prize-winning Rib Eye

But Ireland delivered yet another strong performance, with 15 other producers winning a record total of 75 medals.

Silver and bronze medals went to the Redmond Family Farm, which took silver for a grass fed Rib Eye Angus cross raised in Craanford, Wexford. The farm also won bronze for a grass fed Sirloin. Both steaks are served at the Ashdown Park Hotel, Wexford. This is the first year the farm has entered the competition.

The other winning Irish producers are:

• Liffey Meats – three golds for Fillet and Rib Eye steaks, all grass-fed and raised in Ireland; three silvers; one bronze.
• Musgrave – three golds for grass-fed Fillet, Sirloin and Rib Eye raised in Co Cork; one silver;
• ABP Ireland – two golds for grass-fed Fillet steaks raised in Co Lough; five silvers; one bronze;
• Ashbourne Meats – gold for a grass-fed Fillet; and one silver;
• Dawn Meats – two silver; one bronze;
• Dunbia UK – gold for a grass-fed Aberdeen Angus Fillet raised in Scotland; two silvers;
• Higgins Butchers – two silver.
• James Whelan butchers – gold for grass fed Sirloin Angus raised in Co Tipperary; one silver;
• Kepak – gold for a grain fed Sirloin SMX raised in Scotland; one silver; three bronze.
• Kerrigan’s – silver for a grass fed Sirloin Waygu/Holstein.
• Martin Jennings Wholesale – gold for grass-fed Aberdeen Angus cross Fillet; two silver.
• Martin O’Dwyer Butcher – one bronze for a grass fed Rib Eye raised in Co Tipperary.
• Ralvale Ltd T/A F X Buckley Steakhouses – gold for grass-fed Aberdeen Angus fillet, raised in Ireland and sold at their Dublin restaurant; two bronze.
• Tendermeats Limited – gold for a grass fed Rib Eye Aberdeen Angus cross raised in Co Galway and available through Dunnes stores; one silver.

The World Steak Challenge took place at FIRE Steakhouse Restaurant, Dawson Street, on 9th and 10th July 2019.