From 28 May to 2 June 2023, international chefs descended upon Sydney and New South Wales as part of a selected delegation invited to discover the high-quality beef production of Australia.
16 chefs and food professionals from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Middle East, Vietnam, United Kingdom and the USA were selected to be the first ever ‘Aussie Beef Mates’. These hand-picked delegates were invited to see firsthand how and why Australia produces some of the world’s most lauded beef products.
Organised by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in collaboration with Investment NSW, the ‘Aussie Beef Mates’ were immersed in all things beef, from paddock to the plate. Their trip to New South Wales included a visit to a farm, processing plant and restaurants in the state’s Northern Rivers region as well participation in an Australian beef masterclass session in Sydney, exploring topics including butchery, Meat Standards Australia, food safety, integrity systems, and much more.
“Through the Aussie Beef Mates program, international chefs and food professionals learn and share the Australian beef story to their global network, driving international demand for this premium product,” shared Josh Anderson, Global Business Manager at MLA. He added that Australian beef is enjoyed in over 100 countries around the world and is renowned as a high-quality and sustainable product. “There is no better way to learn about the Australian beef industry than by spending time with producers and food professionals that are passionate about Australian beef.
“The program will help to grow global exports by boosting the profile and understanding of beef in key overseas markets. It also shines a spotlight on NSW’s agricultural, food production, and trade and investment sectors. Following the event, MLA’s international marketing team will launch several global activations with the Aussie Beef Mates, providing a platform for them to share their experiences and influence within their network to promote Australian beef and NSW produce.”
Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said the Aussie Beef Mates program gives the Minns Government [ Government of New South Wales, led by Chris Minns] a chance to help sell Australia’s world-class products to the world.
“This event will showcase the high-quality beef products available across NSW and draw attention to our state’s thriving beef industry on the global stage,” Mr Chanthivong said.
Throughout the week, the Aussie Beef Mates also shared innovative beef uses and networked with stakeholders within the supply chain. Importantly, they also learned from each other as they created beef dishes inspired by regional flavours. Through the program, MLA hopes to continue to strengthen relationships with key international markets and drive demand for Australian beef.
Find out more about about MLA at www.mla.com.au
