World Steak Challenge hands out 333 medals at 2024 judging
Of the total, 112 were gold medals, 117 steaks were given silver medals and 104 steaks bronze medals following an extensive judging process held earlier this month in Amsterdam. The full list can be found here.
Australia took home the most gold medals, with 21 steaks from the country awarded the accolade, the most awarded to any country, with Ireland having the great medal haul with 62 steaks awarded either a gold, silver or bronze award.
New for 2024 the World Steak Challenge has introduced four Company Awards to recognise the hard work of steak-producing businesses from across the globe. These are: the ESG Award, recognising excellence in sustainable beef production practices that have positively impacted the beef industry; the Innovation Award, which celebrates pioneering advancements and ground-breaking initiatives in the field of beef production and steak preparation; and the Small Producer and Large Producer Awards that celebrate the exceptional contributions and achievements of both small-scale and large-scale beef producers.
Companies shortlisted in the awards are:
ESG Award - Dawn Meats/Dunbia, First Light Farms, Foyle food Group, Frigorifico Las Piedras, and Pickstock Telford.
Innovation Award - First Light Farms, Kettyle Irish Foods, Pistol Prime BBQ, and Warrendale Wagyu.
Small Producer Award - Carnicas El Capricho, Ganados Nay, Meat Japan, and Nice to Meat.
Large Producer Award - Anzco Foods, First Light Farms, Stockyard Beef, and Stone Axe Pastoral Company.
Also new for 2024, all suppliers will receive detailed feedback on their entries compiled from comments from the judging panel at the time of tasting.
Now in its tenth year, the World Steak Challenge is partnered by Bord Bia, The European Union, TVI, Synergy Grills and Vlees & Co Steakhouse.
In a change from previous years, the World Steak Challenge will award grass and grain fed winners in all the cuts as well as the overall winners in each region – Europe, Australasia, Asia, and America.
All winners, including those of the Company Awards, will be announced at a special dinner being held at London’s Smith & Wollensky on 11 November. One steak will also be named overall winner and World’s Best Steak at the event.
Judging for this year’s World Steak Challenge took place at premium steakhouse Vlees & Co in Amsterdam. More than 500 steaks were cooked on grills supplied by Synergy Grill and judged blind by a carefully selected judging panel of 90+ experts.
Judges included Richie Wilson, culinary director of FIRE Steakhouse & Bar; Ioannis Grammenos, executive chef and Meatologist of Heliot Steak House in London, Emma Boughen, Meat & Livestock Australia business development manager; Sophie Bathgate, co-owner at Sophie’s Steakhouse; Gui Comandulli, founder and chef at CatuaBar; and Katie Doherty, CEO at the International Meat Trade Association.
“The World Steak Challenge stands as the ultimate celebration of steaks on a global scale, gathering a remarkable assembly of expertise, knowledge, and professionals under one roof,” says Ioannis Grammenos, co-chair of judges for 2024.
“This extraordinary event brings together steaks from all corners of the world, representing five continents.”
The World Steak Challenge is an annual event that gives steak producers and suppliers a much-needed platform to showcase product quality, breed credentials and processing standards on an international stage. It is organised by William Reed the publisher behind the World’s 50 Best Restaurants as well as leading business food and drink publications.
