American Cured Meat Championships

In 1949, small business meat processors gathered in Chicago to enter their hams in the First Annual National Ham Show. Sixty-five hams were judged in four classes. This competition started a tradition that is known today as the American Cured Meat Championships (ACMC) - the only national event of its kind in North America.
 
This event has expanded over the years to cover a wide variety of products including hams, bacon, jerky, and sausages. Now hundreds of products are entered in 29 classes each year. Entries are evaluated by judges comprised of meat science academia and industry representatives along with fellow processor judges who have been inducted into the ACMC Cured Meats Hall of Fame. This evaluation provides information for product enhancement that could result in greater sales and business opportunities.
 
Any processor member of the American Association of Meat Processors, produces their own products, and is a registered attendee for the convention, may enter products into the ACMC.
 

2023 American Cured Meat Championships
July 13-15, 2023
Charleston, South Carolina

Questions about the ACMC?
Contact acmc@aamp.com
 

2023 American Cured Meat Championships Rules

​Download the 2023 ACMC Rules Packet

If you would like to receive a printed copy of the ACMC rules, please send your name and address to acmc@aamp.com.

2023 ACMC Schedule
 

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. - reefer truck open
 

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. - reefer truck open

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. - reefer truck open
 

Thursday, July 13, 2023

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - reefer truck open

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – ACMC on-site registration
 

Saturday, July 15, 202

7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – ACMC awards ceremony

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – ACMC product viewing

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – ACMC scorecard and product pick-up

 

2023 University Class Competition
The University Class provides a venue for students who have an interest in processed meats to compete at the intercollegiate level. The competition is open to students who have an allied AAMP membership represented in some fashion from their respective institutions. All schools entering products in this competition comply with the guidelines set forth in the ACMC competition rules concerning the designated class.

Download the following files:
2023 University Class Introductory Letter
2023 University Class Rules
2023 University Class Registration Form


Questions? Please contact AAMP Outreach Specialist Nelson Gaydos at nelson@aamp.com or call the AAMP office at 717-367-1168.

Judges on Judging

(Click here for individual product videos)

 

 

THANK YOU ACMC SPONSORS!









CLASSES OF ENTRIES

Andouille Sausage
Bacon (Heavyweight)
Bacon (Lightweight)
Braunschweiger
Country Bacon - Dry Cured
Cured Specialty Meat Products
Dried Beef
Frankfurters/Wieners - Coarse Ground
Frankfurters/Wieners - Emulsified 
Ham - Bone-in (Heavyweight)
Ham - Bone-in (Lightweight)
Ham - Boneless (Commercial)
Ham - Boneless (Traditional)
Ham - Semi-Boneless
Jerky - Restructured
Jerky - Whole Muscle
Luncheon Meat - Large Diameter
Meat Snack Sticks
Meat Snack Sticks - Flavored
Old World Dried Fermented Sausage
Ring Bologna - Cooked
Semi-Dried Sausage (Cooked, Non-Fermented)
Small Diameter Hot Link Sausage
Small Diameter Smoked & Cooked Sausage
Smoked Turkey
Specialty Flavor Small Diameter Smoked/Cooked Sausage
Specialty Game Meats
Summer Sausage - Cooked
2023 Featured Class: Specialty Loaf Product


Become A Member