The Flyers Training Center in Voorhees had the chill of competition on Nov. 14 as 23 skilled butchers from across the region faced off in a meat-cutting challenge sponsored by Texas Roadhouse restaurants.
Armed with sharp knives instead of hockey skates, the competitors turned up the heat on the ice for the challenge, competing in a timed event to advance to a national competition and earn a grand prize of $25,000.
Texas Roadhouse created the challenge in 2001 to recognize and celebrate the skill of its meat cutters. Each contestant was given 20 to 30 pounds of beef to skillfully trim and cut. The challenge was clear: Yield the most steaks of the highest quality while working in an icy 38-degree setting.
Judges evaluated each cut based on precision, quality and yield, identifying the cutter who could deliver the most flawless steaks. Winners will go on to the semifinals in January and aim for a spot in March national finals, where one cutter will be crowned meat cutter of the year.
“Our national meat-cutting challenge celebrates the extraordinary skill and precision of our local meat cutters, and it’s a tribute to a unique profession that blends artistry with expertise,” said Andres Guarderas, of Texas Roadhouse. “We’re proud to recognize our meat cutters’ dedication to ensuring every steak is cut to perfection.”
Among the competitors were cutters from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Each one has spent years mastering the craft and each is responsible for hand-cutting every steak served at a local Texas Roadhouse restaurant. In an average year, each cutter processes about $1 million worth of meat for up to eight hours a day in a 35-degree walk-in cooler.
The challenge participants included:
- Jhony Salic, Royersford, PA
- Miguel Soriano, Royersford, PA
- Marco Merchan, Bensalem, PA
- Christian Dominguez, Bensalem, PA
- Jeff Dearth, Concordville, PA
- Jose Jimenez, Concordville, PA
- Raul Ariza, Downingtown, PA
- Dean Brockway, Stroudsburg, PA
- Matthew Myers, Williamsport, PA
- Christyan Aguirre, Montgomeryville, PA
- Miguel Sanchez, Hamilton
- Victor Mercado, North Plainfield
- Orlan Erazo, Deer Park, NY
- Fernando Carlos Gutierrez, Washington Township
- Christiam Romero, East Meadow, NY
- Pedro Ortiz, Holmdel
- Jose Rivera, Millville, NJ
- Renan Santillian, Teterboro, NJ
- Palemon Rianos-Ramirez, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
- Wilmer Garcia, Selden, NY
- Kelyn Pineda, Selden, NY
- Marino Rojas Lima, Howell, NJ
- Santiago Pilatasig, Old Bridge, NJ
With more than 600 locations across 49 states and 10 foreign countries, Texas Roadhouse was named one of Fortune magazine’s most admired companies in 2022 and ranked third on Newsweek’s list of America’s best customer service for casual dining restaurants in 2021. With roots in Louisville, Kentucky, the chain was founded in 1993 and also operates 33 other restaurants.
For more information on Texas Roadhouse and the meat-cutting challenge, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.
