A trio of north butchers proved they’re a cut above the rest after being crowned champions of the inaugural Scottish Butchers Wars, run by Scottish Craft Butchers and sponsored by Scotch Lamb PGI.
The steaks were high during the final, which brought together some of Scotland’s top butchers.
Taking home top honours in the singles competition was Barry Green from Cairngorm Butchers at Grantown-on-Spey, while Steven Cusack and Hamish Jones from Davidson Specialist Butcher based in the company’s Inverurie and Elgin shops lifted the pairs title.
The competition included a tense 45-minute challenge to break down a half saddle of Specially Selected Pork and a half Scotch Lamb to create a show-stopping display.
After a nine year absence from the competitive stage, former Junior and Senior Scottish Butcher of the Year, Barry Green, 40, described his comeback as like “the Tiger Woods of the butchers industry”.
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“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “To win the first ever Scottish Butchers Wars title shows the old boy has still got it!
“It’s the toughest contest I’ve ever taken part in and I was really pushed to get through everything on time.
“The competition was really stiff – these guys are the best in the business – and I’m just so thrilled to lift the title.”
Steven, 32 and Hamish, 20, entered the competition in a bid to gain experience on a national competition stage.
“I pestered Steven to enter us so that I could learn more about the trade,” said Hamish.
“He’s glad I did now!”
