Cleaver Awards open for nominations

The awards acknowledge butcheries that meet consumer expectations on in-store hygiene, supply of quality assured beef, a level of competency in offering the best advice on meal preparations and perceived value for money.

Butchery standards have significantly improved and research conducted with consumers shows that the majority perceive the Cleaver Awards to be a seal of approval. The awards, now in their fifth year, have grown in popularity with more customers voting each year, in the three categories:

• Butcheries with four or more till points,
  
• Butcheries with three or fewer till points and,
  
• Supermarket butcheries

Judging criteria

Criteria for judging include hygiene status, hand washing, protective clothing, storage, work surfaces, cleaning, quality of products sold, service and value. There will be a platinum and gold award winner chosen in each of the nine provinces, with each national category winner being awarded a first prize of a platinum trophy and R20 000. A second prize of a gold trophy and R10 000 will also be awarded. Winners will be announced at an awards function in April 2011. Edleen Butchery in Kempton Park has won four consecutive Cleaver Awards.

Consumers can SMS Beef Up and the name and town of their favourite butchery to 34194. Consumers who nominate a butchery that wins in its category could also win R1000 hamper of South African beef.