This year marked the second consecutive year Australian producer Jack’s Creek & Albers won the accolade at the World Steak Challenge.
Its grain-fed pure bred wagyu sirloin was named World’s Best Grain-Fed Sirloin, World’s Best Wagyu and Oceanian’s Best Steak.
The meat comes from cattle bred and raised on the natural pastures in central New South Wales and are finished on a blend of grains, hay and silage.
Other winners from the 2024 World Steak Challenge included Japan-based Itoham Yonekyu Holdings, which won the Asia’s Best Steak category.
Top quality cuts
Argentine producer Frigorifico Rioplatense won South America’s Best Steak and World’s Best Grass-Fed Fillet.
Some 333 medals were awarded this year with 112 gold being presented, 117 steaks given silver medals and 104 bronze.
Australia took home the most gold (21) this year while Ireland had the greatest medal haul after 62 were awarded with medals.
The Morning Advertiser’s sister title Restaurant editor and World Steak Challenge judge Stefan Chomka said: “Huge congratulations to Jack’s Creek & Albers for winning the award of [the] World’s Best Steak for a second consecutive year, which is a very impressive achievement.
“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.”
Award winners
Winners were crowned at a special dinner this week (Monday 11 November) at steakhouse Smith & Wollensky after a two-day judging process held in September at Vlees & CO Steakhouse in Amsterdam.
Bord Bia beef senior meat and livestock manager Joe Burke said: “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.
“Ireland exports 90% of our beef to more than 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 Ireland landed 67 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.”
World Steak Challenge winners in full:
World’s Best Steak
Australian Pure Bred Wagyu Sirloin – Jack’s Creek & Albers
Asia’s Best Steak
Ito Wagyu A5+ Japanese Wagyu Ribeye – Itoham Yonekyu Holdings
North America’s Best Steak
LUMA US Prime Ribeye – LUMA Beef
South America Best Steak
Argentinian Angus Fillet – Frigorifico Ripoplatense
Oceanian’s Best Steak
Australian Pure Bred Wagyu Sirloin – Jack’s Creek & Albers
Europe’s Best Steak
Red and White Platinum Marbled Ribeye – ABP Poland
World’s Best Grain-Fed Sirloin
Australian Pure Bred Wagyu Sirloin – Jack’s Creek & Albers
World’s Best Frain-Fed Ribeye
Red and White Platinum Marbled Ribeye – APB Poland
World’s Best Grain-Fed Fillet
Red and White Marbled Fillet – ABP Poland
World’s Best Grass-Fed Sirloin
Dry Aged Striploin – Pistol Prime BBQ and Biopark-MV
World’s Best Grass-Fed Ribeye
30-Day Aged Ribeye Steak – Foyle Food Group and Miller & Carter
World’s Best Grass-Fed Fillet
Argentinian Angus Fillet – Frigorifico Ripoplatense
World’s Best Wagyu
Australian Pure Bred Wagyu Sirloin – Jack’s Creek & Albers
Small Producer Award
Carnicas Nay
Big Producer Award