Paul is a cut above the rest

A TYRONE man ‘steaked’ him claim to be the world’s best butcher at an international competition in California last week.

Paul Hamilton, who earned his chops in the boning hall of Dungannon Meats many years ago, was part of an All-Ireland team who travelled to the Golden State to compete in the World Butchers Challenge, 2022.

While the craft butchers Ireland team were not able to claim victory in the overall team competition, they were awarded ‘best pork sausage in the world’, and, Paul, the meat-manipulating marvel, took home the prestigious individual prize of ‘world’s best boner and trimmer’.

Still basking beneath the Californian sun, Paul told the Tyrone Herald how much this win meant to him.

“This whole thing has made me tremendously proud, from start- to- finish, right from the moment I was first asked to attend trials to make the team back in 2018,” began Paul.

Before the pandemic, Paul was approached by a few of Ireland’s top butchers, who must have heard on the meaty breeze about Paul’s skills.

“I got the call, and went for trials down in Carlow. In short, I must have done well, because I was asked to start attending training sessions every Sunday.”

SKILLS

Paul was sharpening his skills down in Carlow when the pandemic hit.

“After the worst of the pandemic passed, we started training again. Come competition time, we were looking great,” said Paul.

Two weeks ago, along with the rest of the team, Paul stepped aboard a flight bound for California. But when they landed, they found out disaster had struck.

“We had shipped a pallet carrying everything we needed competition day – knives, trays, bowls, spices… You name it. Anyway, it never arrived.”

Paul and his team had to assemble everything they would need for their operation within a couple of days.

They managed it.

“On competition day, we ended up with 102 sellable, high-quality products in our final display. That’s what the team get scored on.

“While the judges complimented us highly, it was the Germans who took the team contest.”

But the judges, as they did their rounds, observed each butcher and how they worked individually.

This is where Paul shone brighter than the rest.

‘EFFORTLESS’

“They said that they had never seen someone work as hard and as efficiently, as effortlessly and as cleanly. They said I never left a pick of meat, and that the bones were as white as fresh snow,” grinned Paul.

“I have to say, I was flying.”

Paul is still out in America with his mother, Jane, and brother, Keith, who flew all the way from Perth, Australia.

“They are very proud of me, and I am very proud of them,” said Paul.

“My mother is a founder of Care for Cancer in Omagh, and there are not too many people who fly to the other side of the world to watch their brother compete.

“Also, if I may, I’d like to thank my wife, Avril, and my two children, Elena and Dylan. I couldn’t have done it without them, and I love them so much!”