Holbeach butcher got award during the 'butchery olympics' World Butchers’ Challenge in Sacramento, California

A Holbeach butcher has returned from the trip of a lifetime after representing Team GB in the butchery Olympics held in America.

Ben Tindale, manager at G Shearer & Son Butchers, in Dam Gate, was part of the six-strong team taking part in the World Butchers’ Challenge in Sacramento, California, in September.

Although the team didn’t gain the medal position it was hoping for, it was still delighted with its performance in a tough competition, with Ben winning an award for the best pork product.

He said: “It really has been the trip of a lifetime, for so many reasons.

“There is a really strong, supportive butchery community online, particularly on Instagram – I’ve known many of these people for years, so it was wonderful to finally meet many of them and others who were there too,” he said.

“The competition standards were amazingly high - it really highlighted the skill out there across the world and although we didn’t get the medal position we were hoping for, we were incredibly proud of how the team performed.”

The bi-annual WBC began as a contest between butchers from New Zealand and Australia but has rapidly grown, with this year’s event featuring 13 teams from countries including Brazil, South Africa, Bulgaria, USA and Germany who were the overall winners.

There are categories for apprentice butcher and young butcher, as well as the team event, where each group was given a side of beef, a side of pork, a whole lamb and five chickens to transform into a themed display of value-added products in three hours and fifteen minutes.

“Our theme was the Queen’s Jubilee – we didn’t realise how poignant that would be just a week later,” adds Ben.

“We incorporated that across the table, which was split into different parts – so there was a street party section, the Royal box, with each part telling its own story.

“One of the pieces I created – a pineapple pork corset – won an individual award, which I was really proud of.

“It was a wonderful experience all round - I have made so many memories and met so many friends old and new that I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

“And I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.”

Although there are no more competitions planned yet, Ben will continue to be part of Team GB.