Butchers recognised at Smithfield Awards
Thirteen artisan butchers have been crowned top of their class, by celebrity chef and broadcaster Matt Tebbutt at the Q Guild Smithfield Awards.
J A McMurchie Meat of Hetton-Le-Hole in Tyne & Wear was crowned the overall Supreme Champion.
Run by the Q Guild of Butchers, the awards recognise and reward the best meat products from its countrywide members these awards showcase their butchers’ craftsmanship, innovation and skill.
Running for over 30 years, the awards were announced on 30th January 2019 at Ironmonger’s Hall, one of London’s top twelve prestigious livery halls.
Traditional family butcher J A McMurchie Meat of Hetton-Le-Hole in Tyne & Wear was crowned the overall Supreme Champion for the second year running with their new ready meal idea.
The ‘Shepherd’s Purse’ is an oven-ready meal brought together in an oven-able pouch. The ‘Purse’ contains a Northumberland lamb shank with Chantenay carrots and Maris Piper potatoes in a classic mint sauce for a quick and tasty yet wholesome meal.
The Q Guild butchers who come from across Britain were recognised in 18 categories, which ranged from Best Traditional Pork Sausage, Best Bacon and Cured Product, Pies & Bakery to Innovation, Best Game product, and Best Beef and Lamb products from England, Scotland and Wales.
The awards were judged blind by an independent panel of international food and meat industry experts at City of Glasgow College’s state of the art facilities in October 2018.
The judges were particularly impressed by McMurchie’s Shepherd’s Purse, saying it was a “Great lamb product which melts in the mouth and the flavour of the sauce is superb.”
Matt Tebbutt awarded each category winner with a Diamond Award and J A McMurchie Meat took home the coveted title of Smithfield Awards Supreme Champion.
Claire Holland, manager of the Q Guild of Butchers said: “This year’s Smithfield Awards winners are truly an example of exceptional quality. These butchers are preserving and promoting the very best in butchery heritage, skills, customer service and above all, delicious meat.
“We’re particularly impressed to see J A McMurchie crowned supreme champion for an unprecedented two years in a row – a massive achievement for John, Bryce and the team.”
For the full list of winners and more information on the awards, visit www.qguild.co.uk
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