AUSSIE MEAT ACADEMY ULTIMATE BUTCHERS' CHALLENGE

 

EZ Meat (Taiwan) emerged as the Grand Champion Butcher, walking away with cash prize of RM2,000, a trophy and award certificate. The team also won Most Innovative Meat Display & Presentation at the Aussie Meat Academy Ultimate Butchers Challenge held recently.

Aimed at advancing the butchery profession by enhancing participants' expertise in meat knowledge, cutting techniques, and essential cooking skills, the Aussie Meat Academy 'Ultimate Butchers Challenge’ is geared towards uplifting professional butchery standards and to reinvigorate and grow the profession in Malaysia.

Supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Investment New South Wales, the competition also sets a new platform to promote the butchery profession and professionalism in support of the foodservice and retail industry.

 
Professional butchery is more than cutting meat; it also showcases the butcher’s skill in deboning, portioning, displaying creative and practical applications, reducing wastage and increasing yields.

A strong butcher’s resume includes cutting and de-boning meat, preparing displays, weighing and labelling products, reducing waste, and increasing yields. In addition, a competent butcher should be familiar with all beef and lamb cuts for various cooking methods and share this knowledge with customers. Precision cutting skill also helps maximise yield, minimise waste, and improve eating quality for shoppers.

Hosted at UCSI University, a total of 16 teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia competed in the event. Participating butchers are from the 40 years old and below age group with at least a year’s professional experience. 

Each two member team comprised of at least one professional butcher. Teams had to work on one chilled Australian beef and one Australian lamb for judging and tasting.

 

 
Khairul Anuar Muhamad who’s a Lambassador and Senior Lecturer II at Taylor’s Culinary Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management was the Head Judge for the Ultimate Butchers Challenge 2025.

 
Other judges included Adrian Chong, Aussie Beef Mate and Executive Chef of Hyatt Regency Kinabalu; Ridzwan Rasit, Lambassador and Executive Sous Chef, Hilton Kuala Lumpur; Eric Siew, Lambassador and Owner/Executive Chef of ABANICO Your Deli Restaurant; and Richard Tay, Aussie Beef Mate and Head Chef at CALIA, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

First runner-up of the Ultimate Butchers Challenge was Central Food Wholesale Ltd (Thailand). The team received RM1,000 along with a trophy and award certificates while second runner-up, Butcher Box Pte Ltd (Singapore), bagged RM800, a trophy and award certificates.

There were also RM200 cash prizes each for Best Meat Display Ideas, Best Value Added Meat Ideas, Best Ultimate Tasting Dish and Best Presented Dish. 

EASY, SIMPLE BITES FOR A GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

 

Let's face it, Malaysians love a good celebration! Whether it's a wedding, a birthday, or even the grand opening of your kedai runcit, there's one thing guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face: great food! 

But when you're busy setting up, decorating with grand opening flowers (because, let's be honest, they make everything merrier!), and getting everything ready, the last thing you want is to stress over a complicated menu.

Catering vs. DIY?

Before we dive into the details, let's talk about the age-old question: to cater or cook it yourself? Both options have their pros and cons. Catering takes the pressure off you, but it can be expensive. Cooking yourself gives you more control over the menu and budget, but it's definitely more work.

If you have a small crowd and the time to spare, DIY is the way to go. It's a great way to show your personality and add a personal touch to your grand opening. But if you're expecting a large crowd or are short on time, don't be afraid to outsource some of the work. Remember, you can always mix and match – make some things yourself and order others.

Easy To Eat

Kuih: These bite-sized treats are naturally finger-friendly and come in a variety of flavours and textures. Think colourful kuih lapis, fragrant kuih bahulu, and the ever-popular kuih kapit. Arrange them on a platter, add some colourful sprinkles, and you've got an instant crowd-pleaser.

Satay: A classic for a reason! Marinated chicken, beef, or even seafood skewers grilled to perfection and served with a creamy peanut sauce and crunchy cucumber slices. Set up a mini satay station with skewers and dipping sauces, and watch them disappear!

Mini Curry Puffs: These flaky pastry pockets filled with savoury fillings like potato and sardine or chicken and peas are a guaranteed hit. You can even offer vegetarian options with lentil or mushroom fillings. Serve them warm with a dollop of chilli sauce for an extra kick.

Spring Rolls: Fresh and light, spring rolls are a great way to showcase your culinary skills. Fill them with julienned vegetables, shrimp, or even tofu, and wrap them in rice paper. Serve them with a sweet and sour dipping sauce for a refreshing treat.

Sweet & Savoury

Murtabak Bites: This popular street food can be easily transformed into bite-sized portions. Fill mini roti canai with your favourite fillings like cheese and egg, chicken and curry, or even Nutella and banana. Cut them into triangles and watch them vanish!

Nasi Lemak Cups: A deconstructed version of our beloved national dish, nasi lemak cups are fun and easy to eat. Layer cooked rice with sambal, peanuts, anchovies, and a fried egg in small cups or cones. It's a complete meal in one bite!

Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Butter Dip: Mini skewers of grilled chicken with a playful twist! Dip them in a creamy peanut butter sauce flavoured with a touch of soy sauce and lime juice. Kids and adults alike will love this sweet and savoury combo.

Mango Sticky Rice Balls: These bite-sized versions of the classic Thai dessert are perfect for a grand opening. Mix sweet sticky rice with ripe mangoes, form them into balls, and roll them in toasted sesame seeds. They're a beautiful and delicious way to end the celebration.

Tips for Success

Variety is key: Offer a mix of savoury and sweet options, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices.

Presentation matters: Arrange your food creatively and use colourful platters and garnishes.

Portion control: Smaller bites are easier to eat and help avoid waste.

Label clearly: If you have any dietary restrictions catered for, clearly label the dishes to avoid confusion.

Don't forget the drinks: Offer a variety of beverages, including water, juices, and coffee or tea.

Relax and have fun! This is your big day, so enjoy celebrating with your community.

 

THURSDAY ASIAN BBQ NIGHT AT LE MERIDIEN PETALING JAYA

 

Asian BBQ takes centrestage at the dinner buffet (630 pm – 1030 pm) every Thursday night at Pasar Baru all day dining restaurant, Le Meridien Petaling Jaya. Priced at RM98 nett per adult and RM49 nett per child, eat to your heart’s content the plethora of barbecued fare, hot off the grill.

Chef Afifi Ghani said the idea is to allow diners to select their protein of choice: chicken, beef, tiger prawns, clams, flower crabs or fish fillet and the chefs on duty will cook the ingredients on the spot. Whether it’s Malay, Chinese or Indian style of cooking, all you have to do is pass the chefs the tag indicating your table number and once the food is ready, it will be delivered hot off the stove, wok, grill or tandoor.

While waiting for your Asian BBQ order to be prepared, scour the buffet where a myriad of appetisers, main dishes and drinks await. Curtain-raisers include a DIY salad station where salads of choice or fruit rojak can be made, or sample chilled appetisers such as Assorted Cold Cuts, Melon Salad with Prawns, Potato Salad and Smoked Duck on Skewers.

Lending substance to the parade of offerings are a huge steamer filled with piping hot bowls of Chinese soup, a range of Italian pasta and a noodle live cooking station proffering soupy noodles of your choice.

Head over to the Chinese section for crunchy Deep-fried Spring Rolls, Money Bags and nugget-size Fried Chicken. Kabsa Rice, Mutton Sukka, Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer beckons invitingly. If you fancy some Chicken Tandoori, the chef will be happy to oblige.

 

We like the comforting Duck Fried Rice, tender and slightly peppery Ginger Beef and Steamed Egg with Prawn Sauce from the Chinese kitchen.

When our platter of seafood, meat and fish arrived, we dove in and relished the various items with two different sauces: black pepper and tartar.

Dessert includes Assorted Ice Cream with various toppings, Bread and Butter Pudding, Malay Kuih, Ais Kacang, French Pastries, Lavender Panna Cotta and Strawberry Mousse. My most notable pick was a refreshing and subtly sweet Cendol Jelly. 

Don't miss refreshing and hot beverages served to accompany your meal. I like the Dilmah flavoured tea range and freshly prepared teh tarik or coffee. They make a most satisfying round-off to wrap up the hefty dinner.

For reservations at Pasar Baru, call tel: 03-7682 0000. Le Meridien Petaling Jaya is located at No.1 Jalan SS7/26A, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.