NORTH SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — The Aussie Beef Mates delegation, organized by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Investment NSW (New South Wales), for the first time this year, brought together international chefs to educate and inform them more about the Australian beef industry.

The program, which was held from May 28 to June 2, invited 16 chefs and food professionals to visit a farm, a processing plant and restaurants in the NSW region. During their visit, they received an Australian beef masterclass session in Sydney, which covered butchery, Meat Standards Australia, food safety and integrity systems, among other topics.

Participants traveled from all over the world, including from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Middle East, Vietnam, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“Through the Aussie Beef Mates program, international chefs and food professionals learn and share the Australian beef story to their global network, driving international demand for this premium product,” said Josh Anderson, global business manager at MLA. “There is no better way to learn about the Australian beef industry than by spending time with producers and food professionals that are passionate about Australian beef.

MLA said that through the program it hopes to continue strengthening relationships with key international markets and to drive demand for Australian beef.

Following the event, MLA plans to launch several global activations with Aussie Beef Mates as a means of promoting Australian beef within their network.