The Butcher’s Shop of the Year awards aim to recognize and celebrate exceptional quality, commitment, and achievement in the UK’s butchery industry. This annual event seeks out the best of the best across six regions throughout the UK, rewarding excellence in displays, online retail, teams, trainees, and other notable categories.
After receiving hundreds of entrants, the expert panel of judges selected a handful of well-deserving finalists who eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners at this year’s event held at The Bierkeller in Birmingham. The occasion was not only a chance for the top butchers to be recognized for their hard work, but also an exciting opportunity for networking and knowledge-sharing, featuring an entertaining and lively Oommpah band that had the entire room moving and shaking.
The awards ceremony kicked off with the presentation of the grand winner of Champion of Champions, which aims to crown the UK’s best sausage. Judged in person the same day, Mark Duckworth of Dales Traditional Butcher took home the title of best banger with his delicious pork and caramel sausage.
Commenting on the champion, Keith Fisher, CEO of the Institute of Meat, said: “It was the firmness of the sausage, the juiciness, the texture of the skin and filling. When it was cooked, that plate disappeared with all the samples on it.” Duckworth expressed his joy, saying, “I feel absolutely overwhelmed. It’s the one thing I’ve always wanted to win. Years of hard work – we got there.”
Other regional awards were also presented, showcasing outstanding butchers and their remarkable achievements. McCaskie’s Butchers & Café was awarded Scottish Butcher’s Shop of the Year and also claimed the overall winner of Butcher’s Shop award. Lishman’s of Ilkley took home the North of England prize, whilst the Midlands & East of England Butcher’s Shop of the Year was presented to Essington Farm Shop. Edwards Of Conwy received the title of best in Wales & West Country, and Carnbrooke was awarded the prize for Butcher’s Shop of the Year in Northern Ireland. The Guildford Butchery won the London and South East of England Butcher’s Shop award, and Swans Farm Shop was given the Sustainability Initiative award.
Bates of Atherstone won the award for Best in Display, Durslade Farm Shop was crowned as the ultimate specialists, and Butcher Farrell’s Meat Emporium won the New Butchery Business of the Year award. The Dorset Meat Company.co.uk triumphed in E-commerce, while Surrey-based The Dorking Butchery was presented with Team of the Year.
With the generous support of our sponsors Atlantic Service, Lucas Ingredients, MRC, The Dalesman Group, Tican Chilled, and Weddel Swift, and Viscofan as the sponsors of Champion of Champions, this year’s Butcher’s Shop of the Year awards was a resounding success.
