S. Cronnie Family Butchers named Scottish Traditional Steak Pie Champion

S. Cronnie Family Butchers in Newton Stewart was crowned the champion during its first ever competition outing, beating nearly 100 other entries from across Scotland.

Owner Steven Cronnie commented: “This is the first time we’ve ever entered a competition. To beat some of the best-known butchers in Scotland is a huge achievement.

“I’ve been making steak pies all my working life. We always reckoned ours was good but to have it judged the best in Scotland is just phenomenal – we’re proud as punch, it’s unbelievable.”

After 19 years in the butcher trade, Cronnie established his own business in 2020, running the Queen Street shop with his wife Shirley and teenage apprentice son Liam.

While the shop has enjoyed a regular stream of sales for their steak pies, Cronnie said he is “braced for a rush of customers when word gets out” about their national accolade.

Cronnie continued: “It’s terrific for the business and its terrific for Newton Stewart. To be able to boast the Best Steak Pie in Scotland is quite something for a wee rural butcher.”

Steven lifted the South West regional championship this week before going on to secure the national title. The Scottish champion was happy to share what made his pie a winner: “We take the finest beef, sourced locally, and cook it long and slowly. We stew our steak in large pots and only make small batches. It takes 2-3 hours before we thicken up the gravy and fill our pie dishes before topping with puff pastry.

“Our beef is hung for up to three weeks and is beautifully tender.

“There’s no magic – no special secrets. Just quality beef, proper maturing and cooking and a wee bit of love stirred into every pie.”

Judges summed up the title-winning pie as “brilliant”, stating: “The pastry is even with an exceptional mix of crusty and soggy. The meat is tender and well-seasoned with a perfect balance of gravy, which held a robust consistency. This is a brilliant family steak pie.”

“Steven and his family have produced an outstanding example of a steak pie at its best that shows the little guys can topple giants with the perfect product.”

Gordon King, Scottish Craft Butchers

Gordon King, executive manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said: “The steak pie has been a firm family favourite in Scotland for generations, particularly over the festive period.

“There are three basic ingredients – pastry, gravy and stew – and every butcher adds them together and puts in their own touch of magic to perfect the pie. Steven and his family have produced an outstanding example of a steak pie at its best that shows the little guys can topple giants with the perfect product.

“Steven was judged against some of the best in the business and came out tops – his traditional steak pie is an outstanding winner.”