FDBusiness.com

Kepak Group, an Irish company and one of Europe’s leading food innovators, has scooped a whopping nine awards at this year’s prestigious World Steak Challenge. Flying the flag for Ireland, Kepak beat off stiff competition from entrants from large beef-producing nations such as Japan, Brazil and the United States to take home gold and bronze accolades across a number of different categories.

Kepak was awarded two gold medals at the competition in grass-fed categories; in addition to picking up an award for Celtic Beef, the business’ US brand.

The World Steak Challenge, held annually London, offers leading steak producers across the globe the chance to benchmark their products against competitors and aims to highlight the benefits of eating steak as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Tom Finn, Beef Business Unit Director, comments: “We at Kepak are delighted and honoured to have achieved nine awards at this year’s World Steak Challenge. This achievement demonstrates the quality of the beef Kepak produces here in Ireland and how the team at Kepak constantly endeavour to innovate and improve the meat that we produce. As a company, we are very grateful to our loyal suppliers who farm beef with passion on their family farms. Without their dedication and support, we could not have achieved such success.”

Kepak’s success at this year’s World Steak Challenge comes on foot of their award for best meat supplier at Checkout’s Best in Fresh Awards. The Best in Fresh Awards are Ireland’s leading industry awards for fresh food retailing.

With a turnover of €1 billion and employing 3,000 people, Kepak has beef, lamb, pork and convenience food processing facilities throughout Ireland and in the UK, with sales offices in key European, Asian and African markets.

Kepak’s Awards:

Gold

1. Dry aged Cow, Grass-fed Category. Steak cut: Ribeye
2. John Stone, Dry aged. Steak cut: Ribeye

Bronze:

Hereford for SuperValu Signature Tastes: Grass-fed (Bronze) Steak cut: Ribeye

Kepak Gold: Grain-fed  Ribeye

Watergrasshill: Grass-fed cat. Steak cut:  Ribeye

Wagyu: Gain-fed cat. Steak cut:

• Striploin
• Ribeye
• Fillet

CAPTION:

Kepak’s marketing and brand strategist, Victoria Antoniades, and Sean Harrigan, NPD Kepak, pictured with the Gold Award for Dry Aged Cow in the Grass-fed Category, in the World Steak Challenge.