Best butcheries announced at Cleaver Awards

The Cleaver Awards, which are supported by Freddy Hirsch, were launched in 2005 to meet the needs of the consumer by raising standards amongst butcheries.

These Awards acknowledge butcheries which meet consumer expectations on in-store hygiene, the supply of quality assured roller marked South African Beef, their level of competency in offering the best advice on meal preparations and perceived value for money.

Nominations were opened towards the end of last year for consumers around the country to vote and nominate their best butchery. A record number of nominations totalling over 35 000 were received, a phenomenal feat when one considers that 3 500 nominations were received when the competition first launched in 2005.

Butchers were judged according to three categories namely;

1. Butcheries with four or more till points,
2. Butcheries with three or fewer till points and,
3. Food market / Supermarket butcheries

Dr Nicolette Hall, research consultant at the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Well-being at the University of Pretoria said in a presentation at the event.

“There is a market for beef, we need to produce more to feed our growing populations. South Africans eat less meat than is recommended which is less that 90g of animal products a day. We need to keep the meat affordable to keep access and availability.”

According to her research all consumer groups spend a large portion of their earnings on meat, while their food choices are increasingly influenced by international food trends. Consumers within the 5, 6, 7 Living Standard Measure (LSM) are the emerging consumers who are the bulk of our population who also have the most purchasing power in South Africa. They are increasingly urban and based in Gauteng, KZN, Western Cape and Limpopo.

“There is a role for each local production system. There is opportunity for the industry as well to promote each production system for the consumer, depending on consumer preference. Our local product is healthier than its international counterparts and it compares favourably to other animal foods,” said Hall.

National winners (3 and more tills)

1. Butcher Boys, Vanderbijlpark Platinum
2. Boma Vleismark, Moreletapark Gold

Up to 3 tills

1. West End Vleismark, Kimberley Platinum
2. Country Meat, Fourways Gold

Meat Markets

1. Karaglen Superspar, Edenvale Platinum
2. The Grove Super Spar, Nelspruit Gold

GAUTENG (3 and more tills)

1. King`s Meat Deli, Lynnbridge Mall Platinum
2. Berliner Grill & Deli, Randburg Gold

Up to 3 tills

1. Ziman Meat, Randfontein Platinum
2. Jandre`s Neat Meats, Valhalla Gold

Meat Market

1. Uitkyk Vleismark, Silverton Platinum
2. Tony`s Meat Market, Randfontein Gold

LIMPOPO (3 and more tills)

1. Vleislapa, Marshallstreet,Polokwane Platinum
2. Vleislapa, Groblerstreet, Polokwane Gold

North West (3 and more tills)

1. Impala Vleismark, Brits Platinum
2. Goudkopslaghuis, Klerksdorp Gold

Up to 3 tills

1. Uitkyk Vleismark,Lichtenburg Platinum
2. Tristar Meat, Schweizer Reyneke Gold

MPUMALANGA (3 and more tills)

1. Alan`s Butchery, Ermelo Platinum
2. Super Servings, Witbank Gold

Up to 3 tills

1. Franks Meat, Middelburg Platinum

Meat Market

1. Super Spar, Nelspruit Platinum
2. Saveway Super Spar, Witbank Gold

FREE STATE (3 and more tills)

1. Fredilia Meat, Welkom Platinum
2. Power Meat, Welkom Gold

Up to 3 tills

1. Vleismark, Parys Platinum

Meat Market

1.  Pick & Pay Prellerwalk, Bloemfontein Platinum
2. Checkers Hyper, Fleurdal, Bloemfontein Gold

NORTHERN CAPE (Up to 3 tills)

1. Angus Butchery, Kuruman Platinum
2. Koki`s Meat Market, Kimberley Gold

EASTERN CAPE (3 and more tills)

1. Cuyler Butchery, Uitenhage Platinum

Up to 3 tills

1.  Heydenrychs, Port Elizabeth Platinum
2. Impala Meats, East London Gold
3. Continental Butchery, Port Elizabeth Gold

Meat Market

1. Our Super Spar, Walmer, Port Elizabeth Platinum
2. Checkers, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth Gold
3. Sunridge Super Spar, Port Elizabeth Gold

WESTERN CAPE (3 and more tills)

1. Excellent Food Market, Elsies River Platinum

Up to 3 tills

1. Tomis Country Butchery,Wellington Platinum
2. Stilbaai Slaghuis, Stilbaai Gold

Meat Market

1. Super Spar, Malmesbury Platinum
2. Oudtshoorn Spar,Oudshoorn Gold
3. Pick n Pay, Malmesbury Gold

KZN (3 and more tills)

1. Bluff Meats, Pinetown Platinum
2. Bluff Meats, Bluff, Durban Gold

Up to 3 tills

1.  Michael Frey`s, Shelly Beach Platinum
2. Dirks Meat Market, Glenwood, Durban Gold

Meat Market

1. Pick n Pay, Shelly Beach Platinum
2. Pick n Pay, Kingsburgh Gold

The winners in each category received Platinum Awards and the runners up Gold Awards. First prize winners in each national category received a R 20 000 cash prize and a Platinum Trophy Award. The runners up received a R 10 000 cash prize as well as a Gold Cleaver Award Trophy. All of the provincial winners received either a Platinum or Gold Cleaver Award Trophy in their category. Three consumers who nominated the three National Platinum winners each received a voucher for a R1 500 hamper of beef products from the winning butcher.