After a full day’s technical judging at FIRE Steakhouse & Bar in Dublin, the 2022 World Steak Challenge results are in: A Japanese Wagyu was crowned the overall winner and was a clear cut above the rest in also taking the World’s Best Sirloin and World’s Best Grain-Fed. 

A first-time entry from Japan, the winning melt-in-the-mouth steak is an A4 grade, 30-month-old female from Starzen Co. Raised in the Kagoshima region with a warm climate and abundant water, this ‘Akune Gold’ is carefully cultivated resulting in the highest quality Wagyu steak.  

The World’s Best Rib-Eye went to Australia’s Jack’s Creek – previous 2021 Best Fillet, Best Rib-Eye and Grain-Fed winners. The 32-month-old pure-bred Wagyu was grain fed and praised by judges for being tender, juicy and full of buttery flavour. 

The winning fillet steak was revealed as the MFC Carni female from Poland. Grain-fed and obtained by a cross-breed of Polish Holstein and Black Angus, the steak is well-known for its intense flavours, sweet aroma and unique tenderness. 

The Best Grass-Fed steak in the world went to a full-bred Dexter from Linden Foods of Northern Ireland. Sold in M&S, this 30-day matured rib-eye was described by judges as being very tender and rich.

More entrants than ever in 2022   

 

Now in its 8th year, this year’s competition received more entries than ever before from top steak producers and suppliers worldwide. Ireland took the most medals with a total of 54, followed by England with 36 and Finland with 28.  

 

This year’s challenge took place in conjunction with the official host partner Bord Bia, equipment partner Synergy Grill Technology, and judging partner FIRE Steakhouse. The awards were announced at the Round Room at the Mansion House in Dublin and were judged blind by a panel of over 60 independent experts including Richie Wilson, well-known TV chef and Executive chef of FIRE Steakhouse, and Ioannis Grammenos, Executive chef and Meatologist of Heliot Steak House in London.  

Ed Bennington, World Steak Challenge, remarked that his team were thrilled to have a new winner for this year’s competition: “It is very exciting to have our first Japanese entry and consequently the winner of World’s Best Steak. The vast number of entries from across the globe truly showcases the quality of steak on an international scale.”

A warm Irish welcome for the World Steak Challenge

 

Mark Zieg, Beef Sector Manager at Bord Bia, said his organisation was proud to welcome all the producers from around the world to Ireland, “where grass-fed and sustainable farming practices is core to our beef industry”. 

“We export 90 per cent of our beef to over 50 markets around the world – even as far as Japan and the USA – so it is very important to get our origin known and be recognised on the basis of quality and taste,” Mr Zieg advised. “In an environment like the World Steak Challenge – with top producers, chefs and judges – we feel it is the ideal opportunity to share our values in producing top quality beef.” 

 

Richie Wilson, Culinary Director of FIRE Steakhouse, said it was a privilege to welcome the World Steak Challenge to Ireland and to have FIRE Steakhouse & Bar as the venue of choice for the 2022 judging process. “To have the world's best beef cooked and served by our excellent team to a panel of industry experts was an absolute honour  – a massive congratulations to all of the 2022 winners!”