Nicholas is Ontario’s Finest Butcher 2018

On October 20th, 2018 Nicholas Matusiak, head butcher at Halenda’s King Street, Oshawa, location took home top prize in the Ontario’s Finest Butcher 2018 competition.

Nicholas outperformed his two competitors in a head-to-head battle for meat cutting supremacy hosted by Ontario Independent Meat Processors (OIMP).

The theme for this year’s final ‘black box’ round was ‘Hunting Season’ and Matusiak along with fellow finalists Brent Herrington of Herrington’s Quality Butchers in Port Perry, and Paul Kennedy of Nesbitt’s Meat Market in Lindsay, had 30 minutes to transform a whole duck, a wild boar rack, and a leg of venison into merchandisable cuts ready for a display case.

“It’s an amazing feeling to hold this prestigious award,” says Matusiak. “I’d like to thank everyone from OIMP and the entire Halenda’s company. I’d also like to congratulate the other finalists, Brent and Paul, and thank my family for their love and encouragement. Hard work and determination pay off!”

“Halenda’s is very proud of Nicholas,” says David Hobson, owner, Halenda’s King Street, Oshawa. “The hard work and perseverance he puts forth day in and day out has led him to the pinnacle of his trade.”