ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice Grand Final

The Grand Final of the ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice and Pact Packaging Young Butcher competitions was held on Thursday 13 August.

Cody Burbery from PAK’nSAVE Te Awamutu took out first place in the Butcher Apprentice competition, with Garett Smith from New World Feilding as runner-up.

The Butcher Apprentice competition comprises a multiple-choice exam and a practical two-hour cutting test. Finalists worked with a range of cuts, including ANZCO Foods beef rump and lamb leg. 

As the 2026 winner, Cody receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the World Butchers’ Challenge in 2028, the opportunity to be selected for the ANZCO Foods Young Butchers of New Zealand Team, a trophy, and a Victory Knives set.

ANZCO’s Group Manager Sales and Oceania Jeff Luskie spoke at the awards dinner and presented the finalists and winners with their awards.