Foodstuffs North Island celebrated an outstanding result at the 2026 National Butchery Awards, with four team members taking home national honours.
PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu’s Cody Burbery, who was crowned ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year, was one of six finalists selected from 37 apprentice butchers who competed in regional heats before facing a demanding two-hour cutting test at Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium.
The competition required apprentice finalists to break down a beef rump, pork shoulder, lamb leg and two chickens, as well as a mystery cut, and transform them into a retail-ready display of value-added products. Competitors also completed a written theory test and formal interview.
Burbery’s exceptional technical skills, creativity and knowledge impressed the judging panel, and head judge Peter Martin, Butchery Training Advisor at Skills4Work, described him as a shining example of why the butchery craft has such a bright future.
Burbery has won the Waikato regional apprentice title twice and was runner-up in the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year competition last year. This year, he went one step further, taking out the national title.
Foodstuffs North Island Training Manager Luka Young, Four Square Edmund Road owner-operator Calum Sutherland and New World Orewa Butchery Manager Bryce Gyde also took out the prestigious Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge.
The team went head-to-head with three other teams of qualified master butchers, with each team given two hours to break down a beef forequarter, whole lamb, pork loin and poultry, showcasing speed, precision, teamwork and creativity.
The Master Butchers Challenge had four awards up for grabs, and The Foodie Fighters achieved an outstanding clean sweep. The results added to an exceptional day for Foodstuffs North Island, with team members featuring among the national winners and demonstrating the depth of talent and expertise across its stores and support teams.
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