Palmwoods butcher takes on the big players with national title win

A small Palmwoods butcher has taken on Australia’s biggest smallgoods producers – and won – claiming top honours at this year’s Australian Charcuterie Excellence Awards.

AJ’s Country Meats secured the coveted Champion award for its beef bacon, headlining a remarkable haul of 35 medals, including 27 gold and eight silver, against a record field of competitors from across the country.

Owners Justin and Andrea Beard said the result was still sinking in for the tight-knit team behind the boutique operation.

“Well what a night, we still can’t believe we got the big champion for our beef bacon,” Andrea said. “We are super proud and humbled, that AJ’s Country Meats, yes the wee little shop in Palmwoods … made it on the big stage and gave the big boys a run for their money.”

The win is the latest milestone in the business’s rapid rise since opening, building on previous success at state, national and international competitions.

What makes the achievement stand out is the way the products are made – entirely in-house, without the large-scale machinery used by major manufacturers.

“We make everything ourselves in store with no big fancy machines or equipment like the big smallgoods factories have, which makes our wins that little bit more special and personal,” said Justin.

“Our smallgoods are made with love, passion and a tad of crazy determination and drive,” he said

Andrea said the awards also reflected the contribution of the Palmwoods team behind the scenes.

“It was extra special having our team by our side cheering us on and supporting us, because each of our AJ’s team members is a vital part in making AJ’s who we are.”

With strong competition and a record number of entries, Andrea said the night was also a celebration of the broader industry.

“At the end of the day we are all in this together, the aim is to keep the butcher industry alive & inspire the younger generation,” she said.

AJ’s Country Meats is at Shop 2, 4 Margaret Street, Palmwoods.  www.ajscountrymeats.com.

From left, Jo Byway, Louise Toomey, Andrea Beard, Justin Beard & Jack Goodenough at the awards.