Feb. 23, 2009, Guelph, Ont. – From turkey kielbossa to a
prime rib sausage, Ontario's Finest Meat Competition winners were announced at
a gala awards evening on Feb. 21 as part of the Ontario Independent Meat Processors
(OIMP) annual conference.
More than 100 premium meat or poultry products were
submitted for a chance to be crowned in one of twelve categories, and judging
took place in January.
Competitors showcased their goods in the following
categories: Ham, Country Style Bacon, Coiled, Cold Cuts, Deli Roasts, Fermented
Sausage, Premium Dry Cured, Fresh Sausage, Cooked and/or Smoked Sausage,
Innovative Product, Home Meal Replacement, and Homegrown Ontario Beef Steak.
"Hosted by the Ontario Independent Meat Processors, the
Ontario Finest Meat Competition is intended to promote the innovative, high
quality products that Ontario's meat processors have to offer," said
Laurie Nicol, executive director, OIMP. "We hope this competition educates
consumers and retailers on the quality and variety of Ontario meat and poultry
products."
Entries were evaluated by food industry professionals and
media including: Chris Borg, butcher, Bruno's Fine Foods; Charles
Bruce-Thompson, culinary professional; Jason Garforth, meat manager, Starsky
Foods; Mike Gionfriddo, meat buyer, Michael-Angelo's; Darlene King, food
editor, Harrowsmith Country Living; Nicole Young, chef and food writer; and
Margaret Webb, author and journalist.
Judging criteria was
based on taste, aroma, texture, consumer and visual appeal, and the top three
entries from each category were selected based on the judges' combined scores.
The Platinum winners of the 2009 Ontario Finest Meat Competition are as
follows:
Paisanella Salami, Bona Foods, Toronto, ON
Authentic Greek Chicken Gyros Cone, D & D Poultry, Toronto, ON
Prosciutto, Florence Meats, Oakville, ON
Franz's Own Country Style Ham, Franz's Butcher Shop, Peterborough, ON
Porketta, Halenda's Fine Foods, Oshawa, ON
Turkey Kielbossa, Schinkel's Legacy, Chatham, ON
Jalapeno & Cheddar Smoked Sausage, Schinkel's Legacy, Chatham, ON
Montreal Smoked Bacon, Stemmler Meats & Cheese Inc., Heidelberg, ON
Bacon, Townsend Butchers, Simcoe, ON
Chicken Pot Pie, VG Meats, Simcoe, ON
Prime Rib Sausage, The Village Kitchen, Markham, ON
Ontario's Pride Strip loin Steak, West Grey Premium Beef, Durham, ON
Each Platinum winner will have their product featured in a
recipe developed by Chef Nicole Young, and each recipe will be photographed and
promoted in the 2010 OIMP 30th Anniversary Calendar.
VG Meats took home the top prize, the 2009 Ron Usborne Award
of Excellence, after accumulating the highest overall score in the competition.
Owner Cory Van Groningen accepted the award on behalf of VG Meats and was delighted
with the win. "We couldn't be happier," said Groningen. "We put forth
our best products and were confident in their quality and obviously the judges
agreed."
For the full list of Platinum, Gold
and Silver winners from the competition, please visit
www.ontariomeatproducts.ca.
Print this page
