GUELPH, Ont. — Ontario Independent Meat Processors (OIMP) held an awards banquet last weekend at its biennial conference — The Meating Place — which recognized OIMP members for their accomplishments in several different areas.
Years-of-service awards were given to members who’ve been a part of the organization for a consecutive 10-year and 25-year period. Recipients included:
10 Year Awards
- AKR Consulting, Mississauga, Ont.
- Barilo’s Fine Sausages, Newmarket, Ont.
- Herrington’s Quality Butchers, Port Perry, Ont.
- The Meat Depot, Oshawa, Ont.
- Minotaur Software, Brampton, Ont.
25 Year Awards
- Minotaur Software, Brampton, Ont.
Laurie Nicol received the Lifetime Member Award from last year’s recipient, Joe Abate. Nicol retired earlier this year after 33 years with the association. VC999 also received the third-ever Associate Member Recognition Award (AMRA) for its contribution to the association and the industry.
The finals of the Ontario’s Finest Butcher competition — dubbed “Battle of the East” — was also held during the conference. Contestants Brent Herrington, from Herrington’s Quality Butchers in Port Perry, Ont.; Paul Kennedy, from Nesbitt’s Meat Market in Lindsay, Ont.; and Nicholas Matusiak from Halenda’s in Oshawa, Ont. participated in a black-box competition with a hunting-season theme.
During the competition, each butcher had a whole duck, a wild-boar rack and venison leg from which to prepare merchandisable cuts within the allotted half hour. Ultimately, Matusiak was named undisputed champion.
