On the run up to the 2021 Women In Meat Industry Awards, hosted this year at the Hilton London Metropole on Thursday 18th November, we take a look at the finalists for one of this year's most prestigious prizes: the Meat Businesswoman Award for Craft Butchery.
Having taken place online for the first time last year as a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual awards will return this year to an in-person event. Recognising the best female talent in the UK meat industry today, the Women In Meat Industry Awards will celebrate the winners and finalists across 10 different categories.
Organisers have now revealed this year’s Craft Butchery finalists ahead of the popular black-tie event, when the winner will be announced and the presentations made by Olympic medallist and TV broadcaster Catharine Merry.
Meat Businesswoman Award for Craft Butchery 2020
Last year’s winner was Rachel Godwin of Alternative Meats Ltd.
Rachel has worked in the meat industry for 25 years and specialises in bespoke and seam butchery. She began her own
business, Alternative Meats, after first working on an ostrich
farm and now specialises in rare breed and unusual products. With a real pride in craft butchery, everything she produces is
nothing less than perfection with no detail left out.
She demonstrates both skill and meticulous attention to detail, with her knife work being thorough and presented to the highest standard. She has a real passion and appreciation for the industry and will always ensure the full use of the animal, whilst creating new ideas to limit waste and ensures the company runs efficiently.
Accepting the award last year, Rachel said: "I am absolutely thrilled. For me, this is just what I do, a deep passion of mine, and I have never really seen it as something requiring credit. So to be recognised within the industry for all that I have achieved over my career is very exciting indeed. Thank you to everyone who voted, I am incredibly humbled!”
This year's finalists are...
BRIDGET BORLASE - Owner / Director, Bridget B’s Butchery
Bridget B’s was formed in 2005 as a diversification to an existing farming business. Bridget moved on from her family farming roots and this enterprise has grown from one retail outlet to four, as well as selling online with an attractive website. She has sought to offer her customers a really modern approach to her meat offering, mixing all the classics with many new cuts, with a focus on customer service and engaging with her customers to enjoy their meat. Backed up by a team of craft butchers, Bridget always strives to provide meat with integrity and first-class customer service.
ADELINA-ADRIANA TIMOFTE - Skilled Butcher, ABP
Since joining ABP in 2018 Adriana has made huge strides developing her butchery skills, from working at the entry level to become a highly skilled member of the ABP team. She has now reached the highest rank of butcher in the ABP business. Adelina-Adriana has become a key member of the team, being highly respected for her skill and as a result has inspired other female colleagues to pursue a career in butchery, proving women can do the physically demanding role normally only considered by men, and to do it to the highest standards.
ELYSE CHATTERTON - Butcher, Popowich Meat Company
Elyse is described by her proposer as a super talented creative butcher, whose enthusiasm for the job is infectious. Colleagues confirm she is fun to work with and in true ‘Women In Meat’ style she was actually taught her skills by another lady butcher and has progressed rapidly since. Elyse loves to create new value-added ranges for the counter and one of her favourite things is teaching other people butchery skills. She is also now also a very proud member of Team Canada, taking part in the World Butchers Challenge competition.
LETITIA REDFERN - Butchery Manager, Booker (Carlisle)
Letitia originally joined Booker as a Branch Assistant. Whilst in this role she expressed an interest in a long-term career with Booker and completed its Butchery Training Programme. She has consistently demonstrated a real passion for the trade and as a result was offered a full-time role in butchery. With a desire to learn, a positive can-do attitude and an ability to build relationships with colleagues and customers, she was promoted to Butchery Manager. Letitia was one of the first to complete her Craft Butcher Accreditation and is completing her Level 3 Butchery Apprenticeship.
- This year’s dinner takes place on Thursday 18th November 2021 at The Hilton London Metropole Hotel and dinner tickets include a free wine and drinks package: www.womeninmeatawards.com. Full details covering the 2021 awards and the opportunity to book tables and tickets for the ceremony can be accessed easily and quickly online.
Thank you to the official partners:
Event date is subject to ongoing Government rulings on public assembly and therefore the organisers reserve the right to make appropriate changes if required affecting the date or venue at their absolute discretion.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
