Owner of McCaskie's Butchers, Nigel Ovens, has retained the National Black Pudding Championship title for 2024 with his fourth win in the Scottish competition.
The winning product was a new recipe created for the company's sub brand, Pirie's, which won the West of Scotland Regional Championship before going on to secure the national title in the Scottish Craft Butchers Awards.
The win comes a month after McCaskie's bought the James Pirie and Son brand, bringing the five times World Scotch Pie Champion into the Wemyss Bay stable, along with a host of other products.
Ovens said: “If the renowned McCaskie’s black pudding had to be pushed out of the running, I’m absolutely thrilled that it was by another of my recipes.
“We naturally didn’t want to change anything about the 2022 McCaskie’s champion, but our Pirie’s brand gave us the chance to experiment with a slightly sweeter version - and it has proved a winner on its first outing.
“We’re incredibly honoured to retain the title – it’s one that every butcher aspires to and we don’t take this achievement lightly. It makes me immensely proud to say I have created two championship-winning black puddings - I’m absolutely elated.”
Ovens said the secret to his win was "finest Scottish oatmeal, Aberdeen Angus beef fat, the finest quality spices from around the world - and the rest is top secret."
Plans are in hand to develop the Pirie's brand and Ovens said this national championship would "provide the ideal boost".
He said: “There’s little doubt that if you want the best black pudding in Scotland, then head to Wemyss Bay where you can have your choice of two Championship winners."
Gordon King, executive manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said that Nigel had “a winning touch” when it comes to black pudding: “The fact that he has once again come up with a championship-winning product proves that Wemyss Bay really is the home of the best black puddings in Scotland.
“It’s a remarkable achievement to retain the title with a different recipe and we’re delighted for Nigel and his family as well as the entire staff at McCaskie’s.
“Black pudding is one of the iconic products for craft butchers and to be crowned overall winner in Scotland is seen as the ultimate accolade. It’s quite something to repeatedly lift that title as Nigel has done.”
Ovens' passion for black pudding also saw him spearhead a campaign to stage a National Black Pudding Day to celebrate and acknowledge the Scottish staple - the first having being held throughout the UK on 18th March 2024.
