Inverness Family Butchers Scoops Top Sausage Award

 A sausage produced by an Inverness butcher has made history by scooping the title of Scotland’s top beef sausage in a new competition the winner of which was unveiled today (Sunday 12th May).  A “Beef, Tomato and Onion Sausage” sausage from Duncan Fraser and Son, a family run business established in 1911 in Inverness, lifted the top honours in Scotland’s new Craft Butcher Premium Sausage Awards, supported by Quality Meat Scotland. The award judges had previously sampled more than 100 of the country’s finest sausages in the course of finding the winning entry which was revealed today at the Scottish Meat Trade Fair in Perth. Premium sausages are defined as sausages with a meat content of more than 72%. Premium beef sausages are required to be made from a minimum of 85% visual lean meat and pork sausages 80% lean meat.  Butchers from around the country, from Ballater to Buckhaven, entered their top sausages which were judged for their performance under a range of criteria including taste and flavour, palatability; appearance, texture and general appeal. The line-up of beef sausages included beef, cheese and jalepeno, beef with Dijon mustard and beef, tomato and mozerella. The winner of the top pork sausage will remain under wraps for another few weeks before being unveiled at this year’s Royal Highland Show. Uel Morton, Chief Executive of Quality Meat Scotland, congratulated Duncan Fraser and Son on emerging as debut award winners and emphasised the importance of the new awards. “Butchers deserve recognition for their innovation and product development. Many of them have also have responded to feedback from their customers looking for higher meat content sausages.” A survey of butchers by QMS revealed 92% of butchers’ shops experienced increased footfall in February (23 Jan – 23 Feb) following the media coverage of the horsemeat issue. Additionally, 95% said customers have been taking a greater interest in the source of meat. Douglas Scott, Chief Executive of the Scottish Meat Traders Association, said more consumers are discovering the creativity and innovation to be found inside their local butchers’ shop. “Butchers are keen to ensure their new customers continue to shop with them and the fantastic range of top quality sausages put forward by butchers for today’s event sends out a very positive message about the combination of knowledge, traditional skills and innovation offered by our butchers.”