“It’s the Olympics for Butchers” two of the worlds best with Luke Leyson and Tom Bouchier

It’s 35 degrees in this industrial area of Moorabbin on Melbourne’s fringes. 6 Australian butchers are 3 hours into their final preparations before they head to France and we’ve got the privilege of seeing this closed session! Oli sits down with Luke Leyson and Tom Bouchier, as they prepare to represent Australia at the World Butchers’ Challenge 2025 in Paris. Dubbed the "Olympics of Meat," this high-stakes competition sees teams from around the world showcase their butchery skills, creativity, and teamwork on a global stage.Luke and Tom share their journeys into butchery, the camaraderie and rivalries in the competition, and their insights into the evolution of the butchery trade. They also discuss the unique challenges of the competition, from crafting intricate displays to keeping their apron spotless—all under the pressure of the ticking clock!In this episode, you’ll hear about:The Journey to Paris: How Luke and Tom became part of Australia’s six-person team. A Family Trade: Tom’s deep butchery roots and Luke’s unexpected path into the profession.The WBC: The energy, the pressure, and the electrifying crowd, with European countries turning the event into a soccer match-like spectacle.Rivalries: Australia vs. New Zealand—the friendly but fierce competition that has existed since the event’s origins.Industry Insights: How butchery is evolving, the connection between butchers and farmers, and why retail butchery is making a resurgence.Chapters00:00 - The Excitement of the World Butchers Challenge01:50 - Backgrounds of the Butchers06:06 - The Journey into Butchery10:01 - The Evolution of Butchery Practices16:07 - Connection with Farmers and Customers19:56 - The World Butchers Challenge Explained28:05 - Navigating Competition Day: The Build-Up34:25 - Rivalries and Relationships: The Australia-New Zealand Dynamic38:12 - Selection Process: Building the Australian Butcher Team42:02 - Pride in Representation: The Significance of Butchery48:18 - The Future of Butchery: Trends and Aspirations54:10 - Connecting with Agriculture: The Role of ButchersFollow the Australian Butchers’ Team:📲 Instagram & Facebook: @AustralianButcherTeam – Stay updated with their journey to Paris!👕 Support the team: Check out their merch to help fund their journey at www.theaustralianbutcherteam.au/🎧 Listen now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!👉 Have a great team mascot idea? Send it in! The Aussie butchers are still searching for the perfect name. This episode of Humans of Agriculture is proudly brought to you by Rabobank, Australia's Most Recommended Agribusiness Bank for three consecutive years running.*Exciting news - Applications for the Rabobank Rural Community Hub Program are now open, Rabobank is awarding 10 grants of $10,000 to help improve rural community hubs and halls across regional Australia.These important community spaces play a vital role in bringing people together, strengthening connections, and supporting the wellbeing of regional communities.If your local hall or community hub could benefit from funding, now is the time to apply. Applications close on 30 August 2026.To learn more and apply, visit rabobank.com.au.*RFI Global Australian Banking & Finance Awards