Meat and Poultry Ontario crowns Ontario’s Finest Butcher

At its bi-annual Meating Place conference, held earlier this month at the Blue Mountain Conference Centre in Ontario, Meat and Poultry Ontario (MPO) conducted the finals of Ontario’s Finest Butcher contest. Dylan Miedema of Townsend Butchers was crowned Ontario’s Finest Butcher for 2025.

This year’s competition brought together 13 of Ontario’s most skilled butchers. Through demanding rounds that tested technique, speed, and artistry, the field was narrowed to three finalists – Sulaiman Hakimi of Halenda’s Fine Foods, Rakesh Khadoo of Conestoga Meat Packers, and Meidema. While each competitor demonstrated unwavering focus and exceptional skill under pressure, Miedema claimed the title of Ontario’s Finest Butcher, and took home the official black jacket and prize package.

Miedema has a decade of hands-on butchery experience at Townsend Butchers in Simcoe, Ont. Starting at age 16, he has worked in every corner of the shop; from the cut-room and kill-floor to the sausage and smokehouse rooms, where he gained deep knowledge and skill along the way. ⁠ In addition, he was one of three young Canadian butchers who went to Paris, France, and competed in the World Butcher Challenge, representing Junior Team Canada.

“I was nervous at the beginning but excited at the end,” said Miedema about the final round. “This isn’t my first competition – I’ve placed in the top three for the last three years, and I competed two years before that. Five years ago, I didn’t place, but I completed the challenge. What I’ve learned from these competitions is the importance of precision, making sure your strings are neat and even, your cuts are straight, and that there’s very little waste. Most importantly, it all has to look good to the eye.”

Judges praised Miedema for his craftsmanship, innovation, and experience gained from previous competitions.

Troy Spicer, from Fanshawe College, commented, “It’s been great to see Dylan over the last few years hone his craft and develop a real understanding of what competition is all about. Any experience in the competition arena helps prepare you for the world stage – and you could see the planning he put in and the methodical way he works. He wasn’t scattered; he was focused and calm, and that really made the difference.”

At the conference, MPO also revealed the champions of this year’s Ontario’s Ultimate Burger Competition.

This year’s contest gathered new burger creations from across the province, and entries were judged by a panel of culinary experts. This year’s Ultimate Burger title was awarded to Denninger’s for their Lamb Burger, which achieved the highest overall score among all entries.

“For us, this competition is about more than flavour – it’s a celebration of innovation, craftsmanship, and the pride Ontario producers take in every cut,” said executive director Franco Naccarato. “It captures the imaginative spirit thriving across our province’s meat and poultry industry.”

The judging criteria were based on taste, aroma, texture, consumer experience, and visual appeal. The top entry in each category was:

• Ultimate Beef Burger: Denninger’s for the Mighty Bengus Burger;
• Ultimate Pork Burger: B.J.S Meats;
• Ultimate Poultry Burger: Florence Meats for their Jalapeño Cheddar Turkey Burger;
• Ultimate Lamb Burger: Hayter’s Farm;
• Ultimate Anything Goes: Denninger’s for their Ferra Burger;
• Ultimate People’s Choice: Florence Meats for the Mighty Lamb Burger.

Ontario’s Ultimate Burger Competition is a bi-annual event organized by Meat & Poultry Ontario to highlight the creativity and quality of burger products developed in this province.