Heckington butcher Gary Simpson to take part in World Butchers' Challenge in Australia

The rapidly expanding businessman has recently been chosen to represent Team GB in The World Butchers’ Challenge in Queensland, Australia this September as part of a six-strong home team of men who seriously know their meat.

Formerly the Tri-Nations Butchers’ Challenge, they will take on their counterparts from Australia, New Zealand and France – the first time the French have participated. The World Butchers Challenge is to be staged at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Sydney, on September 10, after a five-day study tour.

All four teams will go head to head in a three-hour test of skills, innovation and presentation. Team GB members got together for the first time recently at The Food Academy at Leeds City College, when former captain David Lishman, of Lishmans of Ilkley gave an in-depth insight into the challenges the team will face in Australia.

David is national vice-chairman of the Butchers Q Guild, of which Gary Simpson is a member.

Key team roles were also determined. Gary will act as a finisher in the high-profile competition, readying the chosen products for final display after his fellow boners and breakers have completed their work.

Gary says he is delighted, honoured and excited to be chosen to represent Team GB and is relishing the challenges faced on a world stage.

Gary started his business in 2000 aged just 20 with no family history of the butchery trade. He now operates six stores across Lincolnshire, including one in Heckington and another in Sleaford at Four Seasons Garden Centre. The business has won multiple awards and the flagship Heckington Q Guild shop – his first – is the Meat Trades Journal’s reigning ‘Best Butcher’s Shop in the UK.’