Butchers reckon that it’s hip to be square
Localshopssizzleastheyscooptopsausageawards
Perth and Kinross butchers smoked the opposition at a regional competition.
A number of shops in the county picked up prizes at the Scottish Craft Butchers awards, which were held in Perth last week.
The big local winner was Kinross butcher, Hunters of Kinross, which collected yet another title when they were named East of Scotland sliced sausage champion.
Not only did they win a regional championship, they were also awarded gold for their pork, smoked maple and smoked chilli sausage and silver for their pork, caramelised onion and cracked black pepper gluten free sausages.
Four other local sausage makers savoured success in these Craft Butcher Awards.
DG Lindsay and Son of Perth won gold for their famed gin and tonic pork sausage.
TH Stevenson and Sons of Stanley won silver for their Lorne sausage, pork and herb sausage, venison and black pudding sausage, and pork, apricot and black pudding sausage.
The House of Bruar won gold for their Mexican sausage, honey roast pork sausage, venison sausage, pork and caramelised onion sausage and silver for their Lorne sausage and boerewors sausage.
All the sausages were submitted for grilling by the experts at an evaluation held at Forth Valley College last month. The results were announced at the Craft Butchers regional meeting, held at the Dewars Centre, Perth, on Thursday, September 20.
The event, organised by the Scottish Craft Butchers and sponsored by McAusland Crawford and Dalesman Group, attracted 276 entries from sausage makers all over Scotland.
Judges were drawn from the meat industry experts and enthusiastic sausage aficionados.
Jill Bartlett of The Dalesman Group said: “Families are seeking artisan gourmet ingredients as well as healthier options including low fat and leaner proteins from their local craft butchers and Dalesman
Iain Hunter and his sausage maker Connor Stuart continues to deliver inspiration through its innovative speciality culinary and functional speciality sausage mixes to the artisan butcher.”
Paul Boyle, president of the Scottish Craft Butchers added: “All butchers think we make the best products, but it is not until you pitch them against others that you find out just how good they really are.
“To win awards in this evaluation is a great honour for the recipients because the standards are high and by highlighting the best available this serves as an important signpost for sausage lovers on the quest for the best.
“I know how important sausages are to customers and I hope that all recipients of awards attract new and repeat business.”