The ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand Squad will represent New Zealand on the world stage at the World Champion Butcher Apprentice and Young Butcher in Paris, as the curtain raiser event for the World Butchers Challenge.
Current squad members include:
Brad Gillespie, New World Rototuna – Young Butcher
Rhys Tamanui, Waipawa Butchery – Butcher Apprentice
James Smith, The Tattooed Butcher – Young Butcher
Morgan Moore, New World Motueka – Young Butcher
Meet the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand
Brad Gillespie
NEW WORLD ROTOTUNA, HAMILTON
**YOUNG BUTCHER COMPETITOR**
Brad has been in the butchery game for over a decade, and since qualifying has become a familiar face on the competition circuit, taking out a few regional competitions then winning Runner Up, in the 2019 & 2020 Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year.
Brad was selected into the 2022 ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand squad and competed in the World Champion Young Butcher competition in Sacramento. Shortly after, he won the 2022 Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year. Brad has also competed at Meatstock, placing 5th in Butcher Wars and beating the Aussies in the Meatstock Butchers Team Challenge. More recently Brad competed in the Pure South Master Butchers Teams Challenge where his team placed second.
Brad is thrilled to represent New Zealand again, his never-give-up attitude along with years of competing experience will help give him the edge to go up against the world’s best young butchers and bring home the title.
Rhys Tamanui
WAIPAWA BUTCHERY
**BUTCHER APPRENTICE COMPETITOR**
Rhys is 21 years old and has been involved in the industry for three years, working at Waipawa Butchery, a farm-to-plate boutique butchery. 2022 was his first year competing and Rhys did better than he could have imagined, winning the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year title.
Competing and learning is one of his favourite parts of butchery, and he’s very grateful for the support of his bosses and co-workers at Waipawa Butchery to help make this possible.
Rhys brings a fresh, youthful perspective, favoring creativity in boutique butchery and pushing boundaries with new ideas.
Being a part of this team means the world to Rhys, it was a goal he set out to achieve at the start of his butchery career and to do it so early on is incredible.
James Smith
THE TATTOOED BUTCHER, AUCKLAND
**YOUNG BUTCHER COMPETITOR**
While serving his apprenticeship, James got involved in the butchery competition scene, competing in his first comp only 6 months into his apprenticeship. From there he used these as a goal to challenge himself while furthering his skills.
14 years later, James has competed in 20 competitions, won multiple regional titles, and international competitions. James took out the 2020 Pact Packaging Young Butcher of the Year and then the 2023 Pure South Master Butcher Teams Challenge and was a member of the Hellers Sharp Blacks. These competitions have given James the opportunity to travel the world and meet some of the best in the business as he furthers his skills as a butcher.
On this amazing journey, James has also launched The Tattooed Butcher brand, taught demos/classes across the country, created a BBQ rub, Knife Range, butcher blocks, clothing and become a brand ambassador for various national brands.
James will bring his skills, experience and passion for butchery to the squad, serving as a valuable mentor to the other members, and ensuring the squad is putting their best foot forward.
Morgan Moore
NEW WORLD MOTUEKA, NELSON
**YOUNG BUTCHER COMPETITOR**
Morgan has been in the butchery industry for three years and has competed in two regional competitions and one Grand Final, winning the 2023 ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice of the Year title.
Morgan, highly competitive and enthusiastic, is eager to bring her skills and competitive edge to the table.
An extremely keen learner, leading up to the competition Morgan will be soaking up all of the information and experience she can from the talent around her and will bring this all together to put her best display forward on the world stage.
