‘Pies’ not just the limit for Scottish butcher
‘Pies’ not just the limit for Scottish butcher
At this year’s annual Scotch Pie Awards one local pie maker made off with a haul.
While others picked up the one award – occasionally two – Tom Courts trod the path to the stage more than anyone else in the 250 strong audience, with a seven-strong series of wins. At the Scotch Pie Club Awards he picked up one major award, two category championships and no fewer than four more awards giving confirmation, if it was ever needed, that all the pastry output from his Cowdenbeath shop is worthy of recognition.
Tom and his wife Norah received their awards from celebrity judge at the event, Les McKeown from the Bay City Rollers at the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld.
Local butchers, Tom Courts Quality Foods, was selected as the makers of the best Sausage Roll and best Cold Savoury. Their Boxing Day Quiche was deemed worthy of the MacLean Cup, which is awarded for the best overall Savoury in the evaluation; bronze awards were also picked up for their Scotch Pies, Steak Pies, hot Savoury and even Apple Pies.
Awards at this level generate massive sales and can be a life changing event for businesses that win. Douglas Scott, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders who are co organisers of the annual Scotch Pie Club Awards explained: “We know from others experiences that even just one award can boost the sales of every product in a shop, so it is no surprise that over 100 butchers and bakers took part in this year’s competition. All butchers and bakers ultimately benefit since it brings pastry products to the forefront and it also makes producers constantly think about how they can improve their products.
“The quality of meat sold by Tom Courts and his previous accolade as Scottish Pork Sausage champion has already put Cowdenbeath on the food tourist map. Now you can be assured that a large number of them will be butchers and bakers from all over the country who want to taste at first hand just what it takes to have such success.”
Tom Courts haul from the 2015 Scotch Pie Club Awards include:
MacLean Cup – Best overall Savoury Product
Scotch Pie – Bronze Award
Sausage Roll – Diamond Award
Steak Pie – Bronze Award
Apple Pie – Bronze Award
Hot Savoury – Bronze Award (Creamy Chicken, Mushroom and Bacon Savoury)
Cold Savoury – Diamond Award (Boxing Day Quiche)
