YUMA, Ariz. (AZFamily) — Texas Roadhouse hand-cuts all of the meat served in its restaurants, and the annual meat-cutting contest gives butchers a chance to show off their skills and compete for a $25,000 prize.
The regional qualifying round will be held on Tuesday at AZ Ice in Peoria. 28 meat cutters will compete.
Each contestant is given 20-30 pounds of beef and is judged on the quality and quantity of the cuts. Contestants will carve ribeye, filet and sirloin.
The competition will take place in temperatures as low as 38 degrees.
Jorge Renteria works as a meat cutter at Texas Roadhouse in Yuma. He’s worked there for 13 years.
This year will be his third time competing in the regional qualifiers, but his first time as head cutter.
“Our other meat cutter had an unfortunate accident. He was in a motorcycle accident, so Jorge stepped in and was our number one meat cutter when we needed him. He’s done a great job,” said KC Backman, service manager at Texas Roadhouse Yuma.
Renteria said he is ready for the tournament.
“I’m just going to go there and do my best, but I know what’s going to happen and hopefully I can do a little bit better than last time,” he said.
Texas Roadhouse in Yuma uses 3,000 pounds of meat every week.
Renteria said he takes pride in his work and is happy to represent the team.
“It feels good. You can see the hard work you put into the meat and people notice how good the steaks look. You feel grateful when you get compliments,” he said.
Renteria makes it look easy, but Backman said it’s a skill he’s honed over the years.
“He has the perfect slice and cut that always hits the perfect spec,” Backman said.
Backman said there is no one better suited to represent Yuma than him.
“My goal is to be the best I can be,” Renteria said.
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