by Greg Martin

We were returning to home base after interviewing multi award-winning Munro’s Quality Meats proprietor Craig Munro when I quipped to our ace photographer, Kathryn Johnston, that Craig was certainly the “Baron of Beef”.

That sparked a rapid-fire swapping of nicknames for Craig Tsar of Sausages, King of Kransky, Prince of Pork, Baron of Bacon, Lord of Lamb, Farouk of Frankfurts and Viscount of Venison.

“Stop it,” laughed Kathryn. “Just go and write your story!”

Our visit to Munro’s Quality Meats at Wilberforce was prompted by news the business had once again been recognised by people who know a thing or two about meat.

At the recent Australian Small Business Champion Awards, Munro’s Quality Meats was crowned Australia’s Champion Butcher.

But awards are nothing new for Craig and his obviously dedicated and highly skilled team, including wife Jasmine.

Munro’s practically scooped the pool at the Australian Meat Industry Council Charcuterie Excellence Awards, winning gold in four categories and silver in another three.

Gold medals were awarded for Munro’s traditional leg ham, traditional bacon, short loin bacon and chorizo, while silver medals came in three additional smallgoods categories.

And last year Munro’s collected three bronze medals at the International Smallgoods Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.

But wait, there’s more!

Munro’s Quality Meats’ ham and bacon contribution to the Western District’s produce display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show helped the region claim the coveted Best Display Award its first blue ribbon since 1988.

Oh, and did I mention Craig’s skills with a knife and other butchery tools earned him a place on the bronze medal-winning Australian team at last year’s World Butchers Challenge in Paris?

Craig is now expanding the business and is in the process of opening a new Munro’s Quality Meats store at the Glossodia shopping centre after the previous proprietor retired.

While Craig is obviously thrilled by the recognition his business has received, he is quick to share the success with his staff.

The secret to the business’s success lies in Craig’s passion for the craft, where innovation, continuous training, apprentice mentoring programs and strong community support have earned Munro’s an enviable reputation in the industry.

Munro’s Quality Meats was founded in 1985 by Craig’s grandfather Harold and father Barry.

“Our focus has always been to deliver quality products to our customers, and that philosophy has been the hallmark of our success,” Craig said.

“I’ve been in this industry all my life it’s all I know and I love it.

“I started off washing floors and my payment was my favourite food – frankfurts,” Craig laughed.

From there, he graduated to making rissoles and sausages before studying butchery at Nepean TAFE, where his passion for supporting apprentices first developed.

“I’m a big believer in giving our employees a career path, and I understand the importance of training staff and supporting apprentices, who are the key to our industry’s future,” Craig said.

“All the apprentices we’ve had here have been trained to the point where they’ve opened their own shops. We’re obviously very proud to see them doing well in their chosen profession.”

PHOTO: Meet the meat champs! Craig Munro has his mitts firmly on the Small Business Champion trophy, his wife, Jasmine, and staff members, Mitch Byrnes and Adam Barbara, proudly display the blue ribbons won at the 2026 Royal Easter Show. Photo: Kathryn Johnston.