Where's the beef? South Jersey butcher in finals of national meat cutting competition

MILLVILLE – How much meat would a meat cutter cut if they could cut meat all day? They’d likely cut all they could.

A South Jersey man, Josefino Rivera, has made it to the final round of the National Meat Cutter Challenge, a competition by Texas Roadhouse.

He'll be competing March 7 for a grand prize of $25,000.

Rivera, who works at the Texas Roadhouse in Millville, is one of 30 butchers from across the nation who will compete in Farmers Branch, Texas, to prove “they’re a cut above the competition” among professional meat cutters.

Rivera says he has worked at Texas Roadhouse for 18 years and worked his way into meat cutting after starting his career as a dishwasher.

Competition began in August

In August, more than 1,000 butchers began to compete in “cut-offs” around the nation, first at the local or state level, then regionally. The top 30 challengers from regional competitions advanced to the final round. In addition to a grand prize, the winner is crowned “Meat Cutter of the Year.”

“I’m happy and excited,” Rivera said about the competition.

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Rivera will cut his way through 30 to 40 pounds of beef, consisting of one sirloin, one filet and one ribeye.

Competitors are judged on quality, yield, and speed in this timed cut-off. The winner will yield the most steaks, with the highest quality cut. To assure the best, freshest quality meat, cutting is done at 38 degrees.

Other competitors from this region include Marco Merchan of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, and Mario Agilar of Millsboro, Delaware.

Recognizes meat cutters' efforts

The meat challenge, part of the Meat Hero program, was created in 2001, to recognize daily efforts of Texas Roadhouse meat cutters, who hand-cut each steak served at the restaurants.

According to a press release, in an average year, the Texas Roadhouse meat cutters cut about $1 million worth of meat and spend seven to eight hours a day cutting meat in the 35-degree walk-in cooler.

“It's really an art,” says Jason Mennie, a Texas Roadhouse representative. “We host this annual competition to celebrate our professional meat cutters. We love our people and our meat-cutting program is one way we show appreciation and reward their hard work and dedication.”

In his spare time, Rivera, who has a wife and children, likes to “spend time with family.”

Celeste E. Whittaker is a news features reporter for the Courier Post, Daily Journal and Burlington County Times. The South Jersey native started at the CP in 1998 and has covered the Philadelphia 76ers, college and high school sports and has won numerous awards for her work. Reach her by email at cwhittaker@gannettnj.com.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Millville NJ butcher at finals in Texas Roadhouse competition