World Steak Challenge awards record number of gold medals

A total of 346 medals were awarded to steaks following an extensive judging process held earlier this month in Amsterdam. As well as 134 gold medals being awarded, 120 steaks were given silver medals and 92 steaks bronze medals.

Australia took home the most gold medals, with 18 steaks from the country awarded the accolade, with Ireland having the great medal haul with 67 steaks awarded a gold, silver or bronze award.

Steaks were divided into categories including sirloin, fillet and ribeye with wagyu also having its own separate category for the first time this year. The full list of medal winners can be found here.​

Now in its ninth year, the World Steak Challenge is partnered by Irish food board Bord Bia and is the only event that shines the spotlight on the very best steaks, producers and suppliers across the globe as judged by a tasting panel of experts from all over the world.

In a change from previous years, the overall winners in each region – Europe, Australasia, Asia, and America - will be announced at a special awards dinner being held at London’s Smith & Wollensky on 13 November. One steak will also be named overall winner and World’s Best Steak at the event.

Judging for this year’s World Steak Challenge took place at premium steakhouse Vlees & Co in Amsterdam. More than 500 steaks were cooked on grills supplied by Synergy Grill and judged blind by a judging panel of 60 experts.

Judges included Richie Wilson, culinary director of FIRE Steakhouse & Bar, Ioannis Grammenos, executive chef and Meatologist of Heliot Steak House in London, Paul Foster, chef-patron of Michelin-starred Salt in Stratford and GrassFed in Camden, Abdulrahman Alswailem, chef owner of Marble in Riyadh, currently ranked number 23 in MENA’s Best Restaurants, and Katie Doherty, CEO at the International Meat Trade Association.

Ioannis Grammenos, chair of judges for 2023, said: “The World Steak Challenge stands as the ultimate celebration of steaks on a global scale, gathering a remarkable assembly of expertise, knowledge, and professionals under one roof. This extraordinary event brings together steaks from all corners of the world, representing five continents​.”

Meanwhile, Joe Burke, senior meat and livestock manager at event partner Bord Bia, added: “Bord Bia is delighted to sponsor the World Steak Challenge and to share with our industry partners what Irish beef farming has to offer, where grass-fed and sustainable farming practices is core to our beef industry. Ireland exports 90% of our beef to over 50 markets around the world, from the US to the Philippines, which is a strong endorsement of the quality and reputation of Irish beef from farm to fork. Competitions like this provide an ideal opportunity to experience world class beef offerings and to also share our values in producing top quality beef with chefs and industry​.”

The World Steak Challenge is an annual event that gives steak producers and suppliers a platform to showcase product quality, breed credentials and processing standards on an international stage.

In other news, check out the key takeaways from the 2023 Business Leaders' Forum​​.