Nuremberg Butcher Shop Freyberger Takes Title
The European Butcher Wars Germany 2026 took place for the first time last weekend at the BBQ Days in Stuttgart. This is a Europe-wide competition with around 20 participants, who compete against each other in the butchery trade. Metzgerei Freyberger sent both Konstantin Klemm and Pascal Karatay into the race. Pascal snatched the title.
European Butcher Wars Germany Explained
The European Butcher Wars Germany is a championship between butchers, sales specialists, and even chefs from all over Europe. Around 20 participants from various countries compete for the title.
Anyone who feels confident enough to meet the championship requirements is welcome. A butcher's apprenticeship is therefore not mandatory. There is also no age limit. Even a 14-year-old apprentice is participating.
In the competition, butchers compete against each other in rounds. Their task: to expertly bone, cut, and create kitchen-ready products from a "side of pork" – i.e., a half pig – within 25 minutes. Participants are allowed to keep the meat.
The participants must present these meat products attractively. For this, they use themed displays. These are creative interpretations of classic meat counters with personal or pop-cultural motifs. The rounds take place live on stage in front of an audience.
During the competition, a jury evaluates the participants. Technique, hygiene, safety, and creativity are the central evaluation criteria. For this, the judges use transparent digital movement sheets so that the competitors can precisely check their scores afterwards.
European Champion Pascal Karatay
Konstantin Klemm (21) and Pascal Karatay (29) compete for Metzgerei Freyberger, representing Germany. Both are not trained butchers but young sales specialists. Klemm achieves 11th place with his Middle-earth theme, while Karatay takes the title of European Champion.
Pascal is no stranger to the scene. In 2024, he won the Butcher Wars Germany and was awarded the title of German Champion. In 2025, he took third place at the championship. In the same year, in Paris, he also achieved 9th place in the world rankings of all young butchers.
The 29-year-old competes with a very special themed display: Harry Potter. "Harry Potter means an incredible amount to me," explains the sales specialist. However, the design was not new.
The young butcher already tried this concept last year. However, Pascal failed to set it up and could not finish it before time ran out. "I got bogged down and therefore focused on the wrong things," reveals the European champion. He means that Karatay created products that were too complex, and thus he ran out of time.
Within a year, the Schwabach native perfected his overall concept. "I changed a lot. I simplified the meat products, and adapted the design and decoration to my time management. That took a considerable amount of effort," Karatay reveals.
In addition to his work as a sales specialist and course instructor for barbecue evenings, Pascal also has to prepare for such competitions, as he participates in championships voluntarily and on an honorary basis. "As part of the Butcher Wolfpack, I represent Germany at such competitions, and absolute commitment is required," says the barbecue master.
“I am overwhelmed that I was able to win the competition. I am one of the few who do not have a butcher's apprenticeship and yet succeed,” Karatay states. He himself has acquired skills and techniques and practiced continuously on his own.
The Role of the Craft
Metzgerei Freyberger served as a supporter and contact point for professional expertise. "If you don't promote such skills, you shouldn't be surprised if no one stays," appeals Dirk Freyberger. The master butcher is also proud of his protégés; both have improved significantly within a year. Konstantin also competed in Butcher Wars Germany last year.
It has become indispensable for butcher shops to transparently present their skills to the public. The craft must become closer to people; only then can both sides continue to develop.
“Everyone can and should try it,” Pascal declares. The sales specialist wants to show that everyone has the chance to win. And with that, he wants to encourage other talents.
Second place goes to Ben Tindale with his techno display. And third place is taken by Connor Ringrose for his BBQ theme. Both are from Great Britain. The newcomer award goes to Lina Martha Wachter from Germany with her very personal motif.
Karatay has not yet revealed what comes next. But one thing is certain: where there is a competition, Pascal is not far away.
