Australia claims title of World’s Best Steak at 2024 World Steak Challenge

Jack's Creek & Albers, which is a partnership between Australian beef producer Jack's Creek and a German food importer Albers, took home the accolade for their grain-fed pure bred wagyu sirloin, which was also named the World’s Best Grain-Fed Sirloin, the World’s Best Wagyu, and Oceanian’s Best Steak.

It marks the second consecutive year that Jack’s Creek & Albers have claimed the title of World’s Best Steak for their meat, which comes from cattle bred and raised on the natural pastures in central New South Wales and which are finished on a blend of grains, hay and silage.

Other winners include Japan-based Itoham Yonekyu Holdings, which won in the Asia’s Best Steak category, and Argentine producer Frigorifico Rioplatense, which took home the titles in the South America’s Best Steak and World’s Best Grass-Fed Fillet categories.

Poland also performed well, with Polish producer ABP Poland winning in the Europe’s Best Steak, World’s Best Grain-Fed Ribeye, and World’s Best Grain-Fed Fillet categories for its Red and White Platinum Marbled steaks.

New for this year, steaks were awarded in both grain-fed and grass-fed categories. Awards were also handed out in four new company categories - the ESG Award, recognising excellence in sustainable beef production; the Innovation Award; and the Small Producer and Large Producer Awards.

Dawn Meats and Dunbia took home the ESG Award while Kettyle Irish Foods won in the Innovation category for its industry-leading salt moss ageing process. Spanish producer Carnicas Nay won the Small Producer Award and New Zealand-based First Light Farms won the Large Producer Award.

The winners were crowned at a special dinner held last night (Monday 11 November) at steakhouse Smith & Wollensky following a two-day judging process held in September at Vlees & Co steakhouse in Amsterdam.

A total of 333 medals were awarded to steaks at this year’s World Steak Challenge, including 112 gold medals, with 117 steaks given silver medals and 104 steaks bronze medals. Australia took home the most gold medals, with 21 steaks from the country awarded the accolade, with Ireland having the greatest medal haul with 62 steaks awarded a gold, silver or bronze award.

“Huge congratulations to Jack’s Creek & Albers for winning the award of World’s Best Steak for a second consecutive year, which is a very impressive achievement,” says Restaurant editor and World Steak Challenge judge Stefan Chomka.

“These awards demonstrate the lengths to which producers across the world will go to bring top-quality cuts of steak to the dining table and the number of overall medal winners is testament to the skill, hard work and dedication that goes into beef production.”

“Bord Bia is delighted to sponsor the World Steak Challenge and to share with our industry partners what Irish beef farming has to offer, where grass-fed and sustainable farming practices is core to our beef industry,” says Bord Bia beef senior meat and livestock manager Joe Burke.

“Ireland exports 90% of our beef to over 50 markets around the world, from the US to the Philippines, which is a strong endorsement of the quality and reputation of Irish beef from farm to fork. We are thrilled that Ireland landed 62 medals in the competition.

"This is a means of having our origin known and be recognised internationally on the basis of quality and taste. Competitions like this provide an ideal opportunity to experience world class beef offerings and to also share our values in producing top quality beef with chefs and industry.”

The World Steak Challenge is judged by a panel of 92 judges from across the world. Judges this year 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 is supported by partners Bord Bia, the European Union, and TVI and is supported by Synergy Grill and Vlees & Co.