Award-winning recipe for butcher with title of ‘best ham in region’

For both categories Leg Ham on the Bone and Boneless Leg Ham the Toowoomba butcher took out gold, maintaining its well-renowned reputation as the home of award-winning hams.

Westridge Meats owner Luke Jensen with gourmet sausages awarded silver and ham awarded gold at the AMIC awards. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A Toowoomba butcher has taken out several awards at the Australian Meat Industry Council Awards and Sausage King competition.

Last weekend butchers from the Darling Downs and western Queensland descended upon Roma for the annual competition, with Westridge Meats taking out awards for both its sausages and ham.

For both categories Leg Ham on the Bone and Boneless Leg Ham Westridge Meats took out gold, maintaining its well-renowned reputation as the home of award-winning hams.

Westridge Meats owner Luke Jensen said their success came down to sourcing Pilton Valley pork from local Darling Downs farmers, together with an award-winning ham recipe.

“We’re extremely proud of our award-winning hams, and to receive gold at the AMIC awards is testament to our commitment to continuing to perfect our recipe and provide delicious, local hams for our customers”, he said.

“Westridge Meats is Australia’s only butcher to be twice awarded with the coveted Australia’s Best Ham, which is due to be held again later this year.

“So having this local award win under our belt is great, to know we’re on the right track.”

The coveted top award for traditional Australian beef sausage went to Meats and More from Crows Nest.

Entries were judged on both the cooked and uncooked appearance of the sausage, as well as taste testing for flavour and texture.

Westridge Meats took out silver for its double smoke beef sausage in the gourmet sausage category, with Ashton’s Butchery from Pittsworth taking out the top gong with its honey, beef and cheese gourmet sausage.