Fraser’s Butchers of Bolton have won one of two awards at one of the UK’s most prestigious competitions for craft butchery products – The Smithfield Awards.
The event, held annually by the Q Guild of Butchers recognises and rewards products created by their members who are among the very best artisan butchers in the country.
Fraser’s Butchers were awarded the title of Best Traditional Pork Sausage and Best English Pork Product for their Traditional Pork Sausage: a traditional British pork sausage made using specially selected cuts of prime English pork, seasoned to enhance the flavour of the pork, all bound in a natural casing.
The judges thought the sausages looked good on the plate, and had excellent flavor and texture.
In addition, Fraser’s Butchers were awarded gold certificates for their Smoked Bacon and Pork & Chilli Pie. These products and more are on sale in the shop at 272 Rishton Lane, Bolton.
Dales Traditional Butchers of Kirkby Lonsdale were awarded the title of Best English Lamb Product for their Rosemary and Garlic Lamb Rump: an oven ready marinated English lamb rump.
Dales initially introduced the product for the BBQ but its ease of cooking has made it one of the butcher’s best-selling products. The judges chose it for its flavour, and the originality of a one portion meal using lamb rump.
Greg Hull of Frasers Butchers said: “I’ve over the moon. It’s always nice when you’ve worked hard on a product to have it reinforced by the industry and to be recognised by your peers.
“It’s my son, Andrew Hull, who makes the sausage so it’s good to see that future generations do well, and it’s just such a mood boost for the team.”
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 two butchers were presented with their awards by chef and broadcaster Matt Tebbutt at a sumptuous luncheon ceremony in London on 30th January.
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.