Family butchery makes prize bacon

A Cheviot meat processing business which provides meat to many restaurants and other food establishments around Kaikoura makes some of the tastiest bacon in New Zealand, according to the Lesnies 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition.

Harris Meats Cheviot butchery was awarded two silver medals; in the shoulder bacon and middle eye bacon categories.

Co-owner of Harris Meats, Bryan Harris, said winning across two different categories was fantastic.

"Winning medals in two different categories in the competition is extremely rewarding. It shows our commitment and passion about making the best bacon we can," he said.

The butchery is a family business that has been operating for more than 50 years.

Their commitment to producing quality products has certainly paid off as the business managed to win medals in the 2009 New Zealand lamb, steak and sausage competitions as well as the bacon competition.

The Lesnies 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition celebrates New Zealand's best bacon, all of it made from 100 per cent New Zealand pork.

The judges were leading chef, co-owner of Logan Brown and star of Hunger for the Wild, Steve Logan; national president of the New Zealand Chef's Association, Anita Sarginson; and acclaimed food writer Jan Bilton. They all agreed the competition this year was fierce.

The competition was open to all New Zealand butchers who make bacon from 100 per cent New Zealand pork.

This year 177 bacons from 82 bacon makers entered the competition.

It was judged on taste, aroma, texture, appearance and presentation within the four categories streaky, middle, shoulder and middle eye.

- The Marlborough Express