Singing butcher hit the right note | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua butcher Calum Sutherland was confident of winning the Alto Young Butcher of the Year title - and he did.

A butcher at Rotorua's West End New World, Mr Sutherland has proven he's a cut above the rest after being named one of the country's best butchers for the second time.

The 24-year-old was declared the Alto Young Butcher of the Year on Tuesday night, beating 10 others at the Retail Meat NZ national competition in Auckland.

It was the second time the West End New World butcher claimed the top title, having won it five years ago with Mad Butcher.

"It was tough getting ready but I was confident in my practical test and exam," Mr Sutherland said.

"We were on stage in front of 300 people and had the same cutting test as the regionals."

During the 90-minute test, he was given rump on the bone, a chicken and a pork shoulder and had to do nine compulsory cuts and as many other cuts as he could out of the remaining meat.

His service skills were also judged, with comedian and MC of the night Oscar Kightley role-playing as a customer.

"It lasted about eight to 10 minutes and he was asking about a heifer, if it can be taken away, what the weight would be, what I can do with it.

"He then said, 'I heard you could sing - you have a deal if you sing'.

So I sang Ave Maria and he had a bit of a chuckle over it."

Mr Sutherland had predicted his national win after claiming the central district regional title last month, confident he could "take it away".

He said he was proud to have won the competition and the prize of a study tour of Europe.

"I've never been to Europe before so it's awesome," he said. "I'm ecstatic with the win and looking forward to the doors this will open for my career."