Founded in 2018 by Peter Baarda in collaboration with Meat & Poultry Ontario, Team Canada was created with the aim of spotlighting Canada's exceptional butchery talent on the global stage at the World Butchers' Challenge.
"The World Butchers’ Challenge is a butchery competition of epic proportions. With teams from across the globe battling it out for the title of the world’s best, it’s the ultimate mash-up of passion, sport, food, skill, tension, rivalry, and camaraderie, making for one compelling, thrilling, and relevant experience," as described by the World Butchers' Challenge Website.
The challenge encompasses a wide array of competition categories and accolades, spanning the team competition, the junior competition (dedicated to butchers under 35), and an apprentice competition tailored for those in their initial two years or recent graduates of a butcher program. Within the team competition, distinctions are awarded for outstanding products, including best beef, pork, lamb, and poultry products, as well as recognizing excellence in beef, pork, and gourmet sausages. Notably, the prestigious F.Dick Golden Knife awaits the 1st place team. Furthermore, an All-Star Team will be formed by selecting six individuals from the team competition. This comprehensive array of competitions and prestigious awards vividly illustrates why this event is aptly named the "Olympics of Meat."
The entire Team Canada is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to represent their country at the upcoming World Butchers' Challenge in Paris, France, scheduled for March 30-31, 2025. This global event provides a platform for showcasing their skills and expertise on an international scale. The dedication, passion, and extensive expertise of each team member contribute to making the Butchery Team Canada a formidable presence in the World Butchers' Challenge. As they prepare to compete on the grand stage, Team Canada is poised to leave a lasting impression.
Team Captain and founder Peter Baarda approaches Meat & Poultry Ontario about forming a Canadian National Team for the World Butcher Challenge. The first Canadian team is entered into the Competition scheduled for September 2020.
September, 2018
September, 2019
16 Camptains from around the world gather in Sacramento to prepare for the World Butchers' Challenge.
September 2-3, 2022
After an extended delay because of the global pandemic, the butchery world descend on the Golden One Center in Sacramento, California.
March 30-31, 2025
The date for the next installment of the World Butchers' Challenge to be hosted in Paris, France.
“The concept of the World Butchers' Challenge is to develop an environment where butchers strive to exceed current industry practice in the areas of general workmanship, meat cutting, displaying and the creative usage of beef, lamb, pork and chicken product. Through this competition, a global community has been cemented with life-long friendships formed, business opportunities unlocked and the overall trade benefiting from an injection of creativity and innovation”
~World Butcher Challenge Web Site
Team Competition
The competition itself is conducted over a three hour and thirty minute period with competing teams given a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens which they must then transform into a themed display of value-added products. Teams are allowed to provide their own seasonings, spices, marinades and garnish to finish products that are designed to inspire and push the boundries, yet which are also cookable and would sll in a retail setting. Independent judges score each team based on technique & skill, workmanship, product innovation, overall finish and presentation.
Competing in the World Butchers' Challenge would not be possible without the support of our esteemed sponsors. Reasons why people want to support Team Canada:
Role: Co-Captain, Butchery Team Canada; Owner, J & G Quality Meats
Background: With 32 years of butchery experience, Peter Baarda is three time champion of Ontario's Finest Butcher competition.
Passion for Butchery: Peter considers himself fortunate to have worked alongside many talented butchers throughout his career, shaping his deep love for the craft.
World Butchery Competition: Leading his team to represent Canada at the World Butchery Competition in Paris, Peter emphasizes the intense preparation required for the event often referred to as the "Olympics of Meat."
Role: Co-Captain, Butchery Team Canada; The Little Butcher, Port Moody, BC
Background: Taryn Barker has 18 years of butchery experience, starting as a high school student. Proudly serving locally-raised, quality meats to her community, she became interested in global competitions after participating in "Butcher Wars" in Auckland.
Raising Awareness: Taryn sees representing Canada at the World Butchers’ Challenge as an incredible honor, hoping it raises awareness about the importance of butchery in the local food chain.
Role: Member, Butchery Team Canada; Florence Meats, Oakville, ON
Background: Damian Goriup brings 38 years of butchery experience to Butchery Team Canada. His journey began working with his dad in the family business, and after moving to Canada, he found his true passion in butchery.
Ontario's Finest Butcher Winner: Winning Ontario's Finest Butcher Competition in 2017 ignited Damian's interest in global competitions, leading him to represent Canada at the World Butchers' Challenge.
Role: Member, Butchery Team Canada; Acme Meat Market, Edmonton, Alberta
Background: As a third-generation butcher, Corey Meyer has been perfecting his art since graduating from the Northern Alberta Institute Technology in Retail Meat Cutting in 1996.
Pride in Representing: Corey proudly represents Canada at the World Butchers’ Challenge, considering it one of the biggest honors next to being a husband and a father.
Role: Member, Butchery Team Canada; Herrington's Quality Butchers
Background: Brent Herrington stumbled into butchery during a high school co-op placement, discovering his talent and passion. Winning Ontario's Finest Butcher in 2019 fueled his interest in competitive butchery.
Love for Butchery: Brent's love for cutting all proteins, especially pork, and his thrill for competition motivate him to represent Canada at the World Butchers’ Challenge.
Role: Alternate, Butchery Team Canada; VG meats, Stoney Creek, Ontario
Background: With over 25 years as a second-generation butcher, Dave Vander Velde credits his father for shaping him into the butcher he is today. The idea of competing in the World Butchers' Challenge sparked his interest.
Representing Canada: Dave and his team are set to represent Canada at the World Butchers’ Challenge, an experience he anticipates with excitement and pride.
Role: Alternate, Butchey Team Canada; Co - Owner, Legendary Meats
Background: With 22 years of butchery experience, Ben Carson has a passion for food that has only been growing throughout his career. Competing in the 1st Annual BC’s best butcher in May 2024
Passion for Butchery: Ben has worked in many different aspects of the industry over his career, but has always come back to the art itself. He has a passion for whole animal butchery, and processing for his local small holders.
World Butchery Competition: Growing up as a passionate athlete, Ben dreamed of representing his country on a global scale. With this competition, he will get to fulfil this dream.
Role: Alternate, Butchery Team Canada; Townsend Butchers, Simcoe, Ontario
Background: With 12 years in the industry, Doug Easterbrook's childhood memories at the local butcher shop with his mother inspired his career in butchery. Competing in the World Butchers’ Challenge fulfills a dream for Doug.
Dream come true: "Competing in The World Butchers’ Challenge is something of a dream come true. I’m very humbled and honoured to be able to showcase my skills on the world stage and also connect with other passionate butchers coming together to make this competition such a special event.” says Doug.
Ronnie Keely
Role: Junior Competitor, Butchery Team Canada; Kam Lake-View Meats, Cherry Creek BC
Background: Ronnie Keely started in the family business during high school, taking every possible course related to the culinary trade. The joy of showcasing specialty products to customers and promoting the industry drives Ronnie's passion for butchery.
Canadian Pride: "The World Butchers’ Challenge is a great way to promote our industry not only in Canada but around the world. It's a way to show how much you can achieve if you work hard with dedication and pride!" says Ronnie.
Chris McNutt
Role: Junior Competitor, Butchery Team Canada;
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Dylan Miedema
Role: Junior Competitor, Butchery Team Canada;
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