Brilliant start to the year: The team from REWE Burmeister in Buxtehude came out on top against strong competitors in the large-scale "Fleischstars" competition. And the service counters from the REWE Centre Sarstedt, the REWE store in Ittenbach and REWE Dugandzic in Bedburg made it to the final round of the traditional industry award. Strong performance: the competition participants from REWE Photo: Achim Bachhausen

REWE Centre Burmeister
The jury praised the so-called Workpoint, which allows customers in the Buxtehude store to watch their own products being prepared. It also highlighted the regional specialities, such as the caraway jelly. Had every reason to celebrate: the small but extremely successful delegation from Buxtehude Photo: Achim Bachhausen For department manager Marc Walter and his employees, the Workpoint is also the ideal place to engage in dialogue with customers. They are happy to help themselves to the "Glücksatt programme", in which the meat comes from Form 4 farming. "There's a lot of passion in this job. It's fun to be there for the customers," says Marc Walter, who can look back on more than 25 years of professional experience. His recipe for success: "Have fun at work and always have a light-hearted attitude, that's what customers like."

REWE Centre Sarstedt
The counter team from the REWE Centre Sarstedt I Photo: Mirco Moskopp for Lebensmittelpraxis The REWE Center in Sarstedt was the second competitor from our ranks in the large area category (over 2,500 square metres). Service manager Andreas Kumfuss and his team delight their customers with regional sausage specialities and fine meats from all over the world - from Icelandic lamb, ox meat from Scotland and French Château Boeuf to Wagyu beef from Japan, which is specially ordered at the customer's request.

REWE Dugandzic, in Bedburg (1,501 to 2,500 square metres)
Thumbs up for quality and service: the meat professionals from Bedburg. Photo: Mirco Moskopp for Lebensmittelpraxis Top quality, innovative products, a passion for craftsmanship and a constant focus on customers: this philosophy characterises the service department at REWE Dugandzic in Bedburg-Kaster. "We love what we do. And you can see that in every piece of meat that leaves our counter," explains Thorsten Möller, master butcher and Head of Service. "We are very proud to have been recognised as one of the best fresh counters in Germany. This is a great motivation for our team and shows us that we are doing everything right," Möller and his team are delighted to say.

Best selection and transparency
At the almost twelve metre long service counter, a total of 13 butcher's shop assistants provide friendly and competent advice on the wide selection of meat, sausage and cheese products. REWE retailers Boris and Daniel Dugandzic, together with service manager Thorsten Möller, pay particular attention to animal welfare. For example, the team was able to see for themselves the conditions in which the Duroc spelt straw pigs from the regional family business Wiesmann are kept - from the rearing of the young animals to the feed. "We want the best - both for the animals and for our customers. That's why we work with selected farms that stand for species-appropriate animal husbandry and sustainable agriculture," emphasises Möller. In addition to the wide range of regional products, the store also presents its customers with changing specialities from all over the world, such as French young bull meat from the Chateau Boeuf brand, lamb and beef from Scotland Hills and the finest Italian sausage.

Practised customer service: Not only on site
By using social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, the team reaches new target groups, inspires customers and interested parties for its fresh products and provides a glimpse behind the scenes of everyday market life. If that's not enough, you can also sign up to the exclusive "REWE Dugandzic-Beef Club". This provides regular offers, news and interesting information about the fresh food counter directly to your smartphone. "Despite our long tradition, our trade is constantly evolving. Today, we constantly offer new technologies and products, cover a wide range of food trends and offer seasonal highlights at our counter. This allows us to offer our customers a shopping experience right to their doorstep," says Thorsten Möller, explaining the store's recipe for success.

REWE store Königswinter-Ittenbach (up to 1,500 square metres)
The meat professionals from the REWE supermarket in Königswinter-Ittenbach had a home game on the Petersberg. photo: Mirco Moskopp for Lebensmittelpraxis Top quality and maximum enjoyment: that is the motto of the service department in Königswinter-Ittenbach. "The service counter is our show stage and the products are our stars," says Ivan Oppido, head of the service department. Together with his seven-strong sales team, he is passionate about advising store customers on all aspects of the meat, sausage and cheese product groups.
The over ten metre long fresh food counter at the market in Ittenbach is a sight to behold: In addition to regional and international specialities, customers can also find sliced roasts produced in-house, ready-to-eat vitello tonnato and sausage salads. Artfully twisted pork loin roses, special cuts studded with organic flowers and herbs and roast beef in puff pastry are particularly eye-catching. The team also attaches great importance to products from high husbandry standards. For example, there are ham products and fresh sausage slices from straw-fed pigs from premium farming method 4 (Premium). "Being among the top 3 in the whole of Germany is a huge success for me. Above all, I would like to thank my team and everyone involved. I always say that great things can and will only happen if everyone does more than they have to. And this is the result," says Oppido.

Great talents impress
Most of the award-winning service counters are run by experienced master butchers who have been passionate about their profession for decades and who continue to face the challenge of inspiring young people to work at the fresh food counter. This year's "meat star talents" impressively demonstrated that these committed young people exist. With Lisa Pöthmann from REWE Craemer in Euskirchen, Samuel Welitschko from the REWE Centre in Michelstadt and Julian Woite from the REWE store in Zirndorf, REWE was represented three times in the final of this competition. Lisa Pöthmann (with certificate) made it to the final round of the Fleischstar Talents - also thanks to the strong support she received. photo: Achim Bachhausen
26-year-old Lisa Pöthmann was overwhelmed by the award: "It was a tough competition, but I really enjoyed it. I'm incredibly happy to be one of the best young talents in Germany," she said, full of joy. During a two-day assessment centre at the Foodakademie Neuwied, she put her specialist knowledge, craftsmanship, teamwork and creativity to the test in front of a panel of experts.
Mentor and work colleague Shary Steins has been supporting her young talent Lisa Pöthmann since the start of her training. This success came as no surprise to her and the Craemer family. "Lisa puts a lot of joy, expertise and dedication into her work. Her colleagues and customers notice this," says Steins, describing her trainee's performance. The "Fleischstar Talent 2024" award is the crowning glory of Lisa Pöthmann's vocational training as a specialist sales assistant specialising in butchery. She had previously successfully completed an apprenticeship as a cook. The talented youngster is now planning to continue her career in the butcher's trade. "We work very creatively and independently, develop lots of new recipes and ensure that our customers can enjoy a fantastic meal. Many people need our expertise and are delighted with our excellent service at the fresh food counter," emphasised Lisa Pöthmann with passion.