Morales, who found out about the competition on FaceBook after a friend recommended he take part in the event,  competed against other butchers from Austin, New Braunfels, and San Angelo in a three-part challenge that tested competitors on cut identification, along with their skills to cut to order, and cut beef for retail merchandising. 

Morales used his ten years of meat cutting skills at family business Casino Grocery during the experience. While Morales didn’t win, he was deemed a “fierce competitor” by the Beef Loving Texans branch of the Texas Beef Council.

“It was really something great that I think really needs to be addressed in the culinary community. Chefs and other trades get a lot of recognition but the butcher often gets pushed aside,” said Morales, who had never competed in such a large scale competition before. “I think it’s a great thing to start showing that butchery is a real skill and people should appreciate it a little bit more.”

Morales would like to thank his family and the community for their support during the competition.

“I’d like to thank my parents, the organization, and especially the community that supports Casino Grocery day in and day out,” said Morales. “Without the community of Eagle Pass we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

The more than 190 pounds of beef from the competition were donated to St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home in San Antonio, which serves children up to age 17 and seeks to be a safe and loving refuge for children in crisis. The donation will feed nearly 600 shelter residents.