Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year Finalists Announced

Three top Scotch Butchers Club members have been announced as finalists in a new initiative to find the “Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year”.  

The new competition, run by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), was introduced to recognise the skill and innovation of butchers with a passion for their jobs and pride in stocking Scotch Lamb PGI.

Members of the Scotch Butchers Club run by QMS who stock Scotch Lamb PGI were eligible to enter their best lamb products in the new national competition.

The finalist butchers are; Duncan Fraser & Son of Inverness, Crombies of Edinburgh and John Lawson Butchers of West Lothian.

The inaugural competition saw products such as Moroccan lamb burgers, scotch pies, lamb and rosemary sausages and mini roasts judged throughout the day.

The judging panel included representatives from The Federation of Chefs Scotland and Queen Margaret University’s Gastronomy course. They were looking for top quality, innovative products that entice consumers to buy Scotch Lamb PGI and to shop with their local butcher.

As well as the Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year Award, awards will also be presented for the most innovative Scotch Lamb product and the most consumer-friendly Scotch Lamb product. The three finalists are invited to attend the Scottish Chefs (Federation) conference dinner on Monday 6th of November, where the prestigious title will be announced.

Graeme Sharp, Marketing Executive at QMS, said these new awards showcase the quality and innovation of Scottish butchers.

“The awards were judged primarily on taste – something that Scotch Lamb PGI is renowned for while being underpinned by high levels of traceability, quality assurance and welfare standards.

“The Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year award offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate the innovation, enthusiasm and commitment of Scotch Butchers Club members retailing Scotch Lamb PGI products which are a cut above the rest. It’s also a chance to showcase the skills and passion involved in creating fantastic products and give butchers some well-deserved recognition.

“The standard of the entries was fantastic and the judges had a lot of choices for all three awards, congratulations to all who entered the awards and especially to the finalist butchers”.

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