Budget prices : Aldi is introducing Wagyu burgers at £2.99 each in a bid to chase from New Zealand as it steps up its chase for middle and high income shoppers . An A list celebrity might spend £29 on a Wagyu burger at London ’ s Dorchester Hotel – after all it is renowned around the world as a byword for luxury given its flavour and succulence . Alternatively , you could try the local Aldi , where the budget chain is introducing Wagyu burgers at £2.99 each . The budget chain is to offer a limited stock of Wagyu burgers made with beef imported from New Zealand as it steps up its chase for middle and high income shoppers . Normally , luxury restaurants , stores and gourmet butchers sell the beef for the equivalent of an eye-watering £100 per kilo – so putting it out of reach for most families . However , Aldi is bringing the beef , which originated with pampered cattle in Japan , to the masses . Last year the company sold Wagyu sirloin and rib-eye steaks at £6.99 each , which resulted in something of a stampede among the BMW-driving classes . It believes the burgers will be similarly successful . Wagyu beef stands out from other meat because of its distinctive marbling with fat , which melts into the meat during cooking to produce a fabulous taste and moist texture . The cattle were initially introduced to Japan as a beast of burden to help cultivate rice during the 2nd century . Beer was fed to the animals during the hot summers to stimulate appetite , while massaging was used to prevent muscles cramping on small farms in Japan where the animals did not have sufficient room to move around . Kobe beef is the purest , highest quality of the meat , which is produced from the black Tajima-ushi breed of Wagyu cattle and raised according to strict tradition . However , the demand and appetite for the beef is now so great that herds are now being reared across the globe , including the UK and New Zealand . Beef from Wagyu cows is sold for as much as £100 per kilo in luxury restaurants and gourmet butchers . Aldi said the decision to stock the burgers was inspired by the menu at the Oscars ball . Stars such as Bradley Cooper , Eddie Redmayne and Julianne Moore were amongst the 1,500 members of Hollywood royalty to dine at infamous Governors Ball , where Mini American Wagyu Burgers served with Aged Cheddar were on the menu . The chain ’ s managing director of corporate buying , Tony Baines , said : ‘ At Aldi our shoppers love to try out lots of specialist products , and Wagyu is no exception . Following the frenzy around the Wagyu steaks Aldi sold last summer , we wanted to offer something new that would excite our customers . Following his Oscar success , Eddie Redmayne dined at the Governors Ball where Mini American Wagyu Burgers served with Aged Cheddar were on the menu . ‘ Aldi ’ s Specially Selected Wagyu Burgers are made from premium quality Wagyu beef , and are available at an everyday low price , which our customers have come to know and love. ’ At the Dorchester Bar , the £29 Wagyu burger is served with tomato relish and truffle mayonnaise . Aldi suggests teaming its version with its Specially Selected Brioche Burger Buns , which are 99p for four , and a pack of Roquefort cheese , which is £2.29 . That would give a price for the Aldi version of less than £4 – assuming you only need a few slices of the cheese .
Budget supermarket is importing the high-quality meat from New Zealand . It 's thought the company is stepping up chase for high income shoppers . Luxury restaurants will sell Wagyu beef for the equivalent of £2.29 per kg .