Up-and coming butcher Kyle Mottram, a rising star at Keelham Farm Shop in Thornton, Bradford, is to receive specialist training in preparation for one of the world’s top competitions for young butchers.
Kyle, 21, of Haworth, is one of three budding butchers chosen by industry body, The National Federation of Meat and Food Traders (NFMFT), for intensive training ahead of the International Young Butcher Competition (IYBC), which is being held at the Slavakto Exhibition in Holland later this year.
Joining him in the English team are another West Yorkshire butcher Luke Haigh, of Bolster Moor Farm Shop, Golcar, Huddersfield, and Mathew Gothard, of Bates Butchers in Atherstone, Nuneaton.
The contest, organised by the International Butchers’ Confederation (IBC), is internationally acclaimed as the premier competition in Europe, possibly the world, for young butchers aged between 18 and 23 employed in the craft butchery sector.
It will be held over two days on September 17 and 18 and will consist of six very demanding disciplines, which will include the breaking down and fine trimming of a hip of beef, presentation of regional and speciality dishes with veal, as well as the preparation and display of BBQ grill, kitchen-ready and conventional products.
Contestants from six other European countries – Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg and Switzerland – will be competing against the English team for glory, including the team award and the coveted title of ‘International Young Butcher of the Year.’
NFMFT chief executive Roger Kelsey said: _”The candidates this year were quite exceptional and I am confident that the lads selected will substantially build on the achievement of teams we have entered in previous years.”_
Kyle, the first Keelham butcher to embark on the shop’s newly introduced apprenticeship scheme, has already made his mark in the industry sector. Last year, he was chosen as Meat Technology Apprentice of the Year in annual awards run by Leeds City College, taking the top student title in the face of strong competitition from 30 fellow trainee northern butchers.
Kyle joined award-winning Keelham Farm Shop straight from school almost five years ago, learning the ropes in other departments before joining the butchers’ brigade. He is further enhancing his skills on a Level 2 NVQ Meat Technology course at Leeds City College.
Keelham’s butchery manager Lee Scott said: _”Kyle is an inspiration to us all ““ totally committed to his chosen trade. He has already come far and can only progress further with such high profile competition experience under his belt._
_”It’s a great opportunity for him and his fellow UK young guns in their bid for glory on the international stage and we shall be helping and supporting him all the way.”_
Lee said Kyle is also proving an excellent role model for Keelham Farm Shop’s two new apprentice butchers, Andrew Scholes, 25, of Wibsey, and 16-year-old Jack Holden, from Eccleshill.