The top five young butchers and five butcher apprentices from around the country have been found in the hunt for New Zealand's best young butcher for 2010

After competing in regional finals around the country, the finalists will compete at the Grand Final in Auckland on 24 August. With a past winner and a past runner up in the mix, the competition will be fierce for the prestigious title of Alto Young Butcher of the Year.

The inaugural RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year category is also proving a tight competition, with the regional winners fighting off more than 30 entrants across the nation.

The finalists are: Alto Young Butcher of the Year Alesha Ross, New World Victoria Park, Auckland (past runner up) Calum Sutherland, New World Westend, Rotorua (past winner) Kym Whale, Preston's Master Butchers, Wellington James Brears, Fendalton New World, Christchurch Robert Holdaway, New World Centre City, Dunedin

RMITO Butcher Apprentice of the Year Alana Empson, New World Waiuku, Auckland Damien Hanley, New World Hillcrest, Hamilton Shea Demanser, Bay Cuisine, Napier Steven Watts, Ellesmere Butchery, Leeston Rueben O'Connell, New World Alexandra, Alexandra

The event, organised by Retail Meat New Zealand (RMNZ), is sponsored by Alto, Retail Meat Industry Training Organisation (RMITO), Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Cabernet Foods, Hellers, New Zealand Pork, Tegel, Wilson Hellaby, Dunninghams and Kerry Ingredients.