Kaaron Mitchell, Pink Lake Butcher, after winning silver in the European competition. Photo: Nikki Bailey.
Esperance-based business, Pink Lake Butchers, has received a silver medal in a European competition contested by the world’s top charcuterie experts.
Kaaron Mitchell said she entered her business’s coppa in the competition organised by the German Butchers’ Association (DFV) for IFFA, the world’s leading meat industry trade fair.
Ms Mitchell said, “we are absolutely thrilled… we were awarded a silver medal amongst the International entries – true global recognition of our skill, resilience and commitment to excellence.”
The competition is run with close cooperation from the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC).
The winners were announced in Germany on Tuesday, and AMIC announced Pink Lake Butchers won the silver medal in IFFA’s air dried/cured class, in the category of coppa, dry cured, whole pork neck – uncooked.
An AMIC spokesperson said Australian smallgoods producers took several top honours at the DFV Quality International Competition.
The international event included participation from 331 Australian smallgoods producers and is considered one of the most prestigious platforms for showcasing innovation and excellence in meat processing and smallgoods production.
In February, IFFA sent representatives to Australia to judge the 331 entrants, grading them on appearance, consistency, smell and taste.
AMIC General Manager for Smallgoods Oliver Stankovski said the high number of winners from Australia “not only reflect the exceptional standards of our local industry but also demonstrate the global competitiveness of Australian-made meat products.”
“This year marked the first time Australia entered our award-winning smallgoods products into this prestigious international competition, and it demonstrates our winners can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world,” Oliver said.
Ms Mitchell said, “to even reach the IFFA stage, our products had to first achieve a Gold Award at the Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards hosted by the Australian Meat Industry Council,” adding, “we achieved this in 2023 for our coppa.”
She said winning silver on an international stage was a huge achievement that meant she could finally accept she was doing her best, “to the highest standard,” and she proudly said she felt she can finally pat herself on the back.
“It means I refuse to settle for less, and my personal high expectations are constantly seeking improvement.
“I refuse to take short cuts or compromise on quality or my own values, my integrity and personal principles are beyond doubt,” she said.
She described it as “very humbling” to achieve such global recognition without classical training or generational knowledge.
The elite nature of the competition meant she was also achieving this at the pinnacle of European traditional charcuterie, with experts who have passed traditions and knowledge down for many hundreds of years.
“This is a reflection of the countless hours perfecting recipes, refining techniques and upholding traditions,” she said.
“It represents the spirit of innovation and keeping in with the highest respect for quality that runs through every smallgoods business in our country.
“We would love to congratulate every other award winner who entered, and even those who didn’t win – to even get to this competition is a huge achievement.”
