Best of the bacon

By Dion Teasdale
A HEALESVILLE butcher has beaten the best small goods producers in the state to earn the title of the Best Bacon in Victoria.
Main Street Quality Butcher proprietor Stephen Hollis and fellow butcher Shane Frazzetto were announced as the producers of the best bacon in the state at an award ceremony held on 5 November.
The butchers were entered into the state titles after taking out the award for best bacon in the Melbourne A Section of the Victorian Smallgoods Competition in September.
They beat 36 other regional finalists to take out the top award which was sponsored by the Australian Meat Industry Council.
“Winning the regional award was a great result, but being crowned Best Bacon in Victoria is even better,” Mr Hollis said.
“It is an amazing result, considering we only started making our own small goods five months ago and this is the first time we’ve entered the awards.”
Mr Frazzetto, who attended the gala presentation ceremony in Albert Park, said the award was given unanimously by the judges.
“It was a clean sweep.
“All three judges picked our bacon as the best in the state for its presentation, texture and taste,” he said.
Mr Hollis said winning the title of Best Bacon in Victoria would help introduce new customers to the butcher shop’s small goods.
“We’re expecting people to come in and ask if they can try the best bacon in the state and we’re hoping more restaurants, wineries and cafes show some interest, too,” he said.
Mr Hollis said the butchers would defend their title at the awards next year.
“Winning this year has made us hungry for more awards, so we’ll go back next year and see if we can’t win this one again, and try for a few others, too,” he said.
Mr Frazzetto said the local community had supported the butcher shop.
“Our customers are rapt for us.
“They are proud that their local business has done so well on a state level,” he said.
“The award is great for us, and great for Healesville.”