A giant pear-shaped lamb cutlet butchered Auckland’s rush hour traffic this morning causing motorists to salivate at a dangerous rate. The chop was commissioned by Beef + Lamb New Zealand in honour of National Lamb Day, with the company taking it on a tiki tour of New Zealand.
Marty Shanahan aka ‘The Backyard Cook’ was the driver at the helm of a bright orange Lamb Rover Defender.
“When Beef + Lamb approached me, and asked if I could drive a giant lamb chop across the country I thought they were trying to pull the wool over my eyes – this is surely a recipe for disaster. But ewe have to admire the workmansheep that’s gone into making the chop, I feel a bit sheepish for doubting them now,” says Shanahan.
Chief executive officer of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Rod Slater, says Kiwis might not know it but New Zealand is a little bit famous for the lamb we produce.
“When you buy Quality Mark lamb from supermarkets and butchers – or order it at your favourite restaurant – you are eating something really special. It’s internationally renowned, produced in our unique environment and meets standards that guarantees tender results.”
The six-metre sized lamb chop headed to Dargaville to visit the big kumara before it makes way via the giant carrot in Ohakune and the Wattie’s pea factory in Christchurch later this week to complete the ‘Lamb and Three Veg Tiki Tour’.
The chop will also be visiting some of New Zealand’s many other iconic monuments along the way in what is believed to be a first tour route of its kind in New Zealand.
Now in its fifth year, National Lamb Day is an opportunity for Kiwis to celebrate New Zealand’s meaty culture and heritage. And while we may have a soft spot for oversized lamb chops, we have a long way to go before we pip the Aussies in the realm of meat and livestock advertising.
Here are a few examples from across the ditch:
