The world’s best steak award at this year’s World Steak Challenge goes to a Japanese Wagyu from producer Starzen Co. The same cut was also crowned World’s Best Sirloin and World’s Best Grain-Fed at the award ceremony yesterday (28 September) in Dublin.
Starzen Co.’s entry was a first from Japan. The A4 grade, 30-month-old Akune Gold female was grain-fed in the Kagoshima region – an area known for its warm climate and abundant water supply.
The world’s best fillet hailed from Poland. The cow, bred by MFC Carni, was grain fed and obtained by a cross breed of Polish Holstein and Black Angus. The steak is known for its ‘intense flavours, sweet aroma and unique tenderness’.
The world’s best grass-fed award was won by a full bred Dexter from Linden Foods, Northern Ireland. The 30-day matured rib eye – described by judges as being very tender and rich – is sold in M&S.
And the prize for the world’s best rib eye was awarded to Australia’s Jack’s Creek, which won Best Fillet, Best Rib-Eye and Grain-Fed gongs in 2021. According to the judges, the 32-month-old, pure bred, grain-fed Wagyu was tender, juicy, and ‘full of buttery flavour’.
World Steak Challenge, which is organised by FoodNavigator publisher William Reed, was held at Dublin’s FIRE Steakhouse in association with official host partner Bord Bia and official supplier Synergy Grill Technology.
“We are thrilled to have a new winner for this year’s World Steak Challenge. It is very exciting to have our first Japanese entry and consequently the winner of World’s Best Steak,” said Ed Bedington from World Steak Challenge.
World Steak Challenge, now in its eighth year, was judged blind in 2022 by a panel of more than 60 independent experts including Richie Wilson, TV chef and executive chef of FIRE Steakhouse in Dublin; and Ioannis Grammenos, executive chef and meatologist of Heliot Steak House in London.
The competition received more entries than ‘ever before’. Host nation Ireland took the most medals, with a total of 54. England followed in second place with 36 gongs, before Finland with 28.
“The vast number of entries from across the globe truly showcases the quality of steak on an international scale,” said Bedington.
