Search is on for Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year

The search is on to find a top butcher worthy of being crowned the “Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year”.  

The annual competition recognises butchers with skills and a real passion for their jobs, who take pride in stocking Scotch Lamb PGI and showcasing numerous innovative products using Scotch Lamb.

Butchers, who stock Scotch Lamb, are invited to enter their best and most innovative Scotch Lamb products from marinated products to burgers and sausages, pies, bakery Items and ready meals.

As well as the Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year Award, there will also be awards for the most innovative Scotch Lamb product and the most consumer-friendly Scotch Lamb product.

The judging panel will include representatives from The Federation of Chefs Scotland, who will cast a critical and expert eye over the entrants’ products.

The judges will be looking for top quality lamb and innovative products that can be cooked quickly and entice consumers to buy Scotch Lamb and to shop with their local butcher.

The launch of the awards coincide with Love Lamb Week (September 1 – 7) and the start of a nine-week Scotch Lamb PGI marketing campaign by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

The “Scotch Lamb, Naturally” campaign, which for the first time includes television advertising as part of the promotional mix, aims to reach four million consumers, inspiring and encouraging consumers in Scotland to seek out lamb as a tasty, quick, simple meal.

John Lawsons Butchers in West Lothian won the inaugural Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year Award in 2017 and said they were absolutely delighted to have been recognised for their Scotch Lamb products.

“Our team really strive to deliver excellent quality, innovative Scotch Lamb products to customers and it was fantastic to see the business acknowledged for this,” said Stuart Lawson.

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

“The Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year Award offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate the innovation, enthusiasm and commitment of those retailing Scotch Lamb PGI products which are a cut above the rest,” said Mr Sharp.

“This award will be judged primarily on taste – something that Scotch Lamb PGI is renowned for while being underpinned by high levels of traceability, assurance and welfare standards.

“Butchers are keen to ensure their customers continue to shop with them by offering a fantastic range of top quality products including Scotch Lamb. The awards themselves send out a very positive message about the combination of knowledge, traditional skills and innovation offered by our butchers. I would encourage our talented butchers to enter for some well-deserved recognition.”

Judging for the Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year will take place in October. The winners will be announced at the Scottish Chefs (Federation) annual conference in November and those selected for awards will be invited to attend.

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