Competitors will have the chance to demonstrate their expertise, gain regional recognition, and compete for the title of 2026 Best Butcher and a $500 cash prize. (Credit: PA Beef Council)
(The following press release was provided verbatim by Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative)
Butchers and meat cutters from across the Northeast region, spanning Maine to Virginia, are invited to apply for the 2026 Best Butcher Contest, scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Penn State Meats Lab in State College, Pennsylvania.
Hosted in partnership with the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI), a subcontractor to the Beef Checkoff, and the PA Pork Producers Council, the contest will take place during the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors (PAMP) Annual Convention, one of the region’s largest gatherings for butchers, meat cutters, processors, and industry professionals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States is home to an estimated 139,100 butchers and meat cutters (2023), with a projected decline of 2,900 positions by 2033. Now more than ever, this competition celebrates and elevates the skilled artisans essential to sustaining the region’s beef and pork supply chains.
“The Best Butcher Contest is about honoring the craftsmanship, precision, and deep product knowledge that these professionals bring to retail and foodservice customers every single day,” said Kaitlyn Swope, Director of Marketing, NEBPI. “Their work ensures consumers can trust the quality, consistency, and care behind their beef and pork purchases.”
A True Test of Skill
The 2026 Contest will challenge participants through multiple skill-based events, including:
Competitors will have the chance to demonstrate their expertise, gain regional recognition, and compete for the title of 2026 Best Butcher and a $500 cash prize.
How to Apply
Butchers and meat cutters interested in competing can learn more and apply at nebpi.org/education/best-butcher-contest
Applications are due by April 14, 2026. Please reach out to Kaitlyn Swope, Director of Marketing with the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative with any questions – 814-623-2698 or [email protected].
For more information about beef promotion in the Northeast region, visit www.nebpi.org/.
