All Eyes on Scottish Butchers’ Pies at British Pie Awards

All eyes were on Scottish butchers’ pies at the British Pie Awards recently as members of the Scotch Butchers Club lifted a raft of awards.

West Lothian-based John Lawsons Butchers won the Lamb Pie class, sponsored by Scotch Lamb PGI, with their Shredded Lamb Ragu Pie and also came away with four silver awards.

Boghall Butchers, also based in West Lothian, won the Dessert Pie class with their traditional Bramley Apple Pie as well as lifting two gold, three silver and one bronze award.

A&I Quality Butchers from Inverness scooped three bronze awards, Glasgow-based Gordon R Brown Butchers won a silver award and Scott Brothers, who are based in Dundee, walked away with a bronze award.

John Lawson who, along with his wife, owns three family-run shops in Uphall, Winchburgh and Broxburn, said: “We were up against some really tough competition so I’m absolutely thrilled to have won the Lamb Pie class.

“The team has worked hard over the last couple of months to develop and fine-tune a pie which we hoped would excite the judge’s taste buds and I’m delighted to say the hard work has definitely paid off!”

The annual event, which saw over 800 pies judged in 20 categories by pie experts, celebrity chefs and acclaimed food writers, attracted the nation’s top pie makers who all competed to win the coveted title of Supreme Champion 2017 which was won by Walker and Son with their Dickinson & Morris Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), who run the Scotch Butchers Club, sponsored the Beef and Ale Pie class and the Lamb Pie class at the world-renowned awards in Melton Mowbray.

Graeme Sharp, QMS Marketing Executive, who was a judge at this year’s awards, said that all the winning butchers were clearly at the top of their trade.

“These awards focus purely on quality and taste and recognise the craft of bakers, butchers and other producers. All these attributes were clearly on show throughout the competition.

“The fantastic range of pies entered for these awards sends out a very positive message about the combination of traditional skills and innovation offered by our butchers. Congratulations to all the winners.”

For more information on the Scotch Beef or Scotch Lamb brands, including recipes, videos and tips, visit www.scotchkitchen.com or follow Scotch Kitchen on Facebook or Twitter.

Your nearest Scotch Butchers Club member can be found here: www.scotchbutchersclub.org