Pictured: Mark Russell, of Duncan Fraser & Son Butchers, with a tray of Bacon Sirloins that clinched a top rated 3**** accolade in the Q Guild 2020 Smithfield Star Awards.
Duncan Fraser & Son Butchers in Inverness has picked up a total of six accolades in the Q Guild of Butchers 2020 Smithfield ‘Star’ Awards, among them a top-ranked 3*** honour.
The Queensgate shop gained a top-rated award in the Kitchen-Ready product category with:
Bacon Sirloins. Owner Duncan Fraser explained:
“These are locally reared pork loins from pigs from the ‘Black Isle,’ trimmed; cured and smoked; then sliced and infused with a pineapple and chilli sauce.”
Duncan Fraser & Son also picked up a 2** award in the Innovative Sausage category with:
Smokie Joes, again using pork from Black Isle pigs.
Plus four 1* for:
Beef Burger
Smoked Back Bacon
Black Pudding
Lamb Kebab
For the first time this year, the revamped Smithfield ‘Star’ Awards had a brand-new star rating system through which 3***, 2** or 1* certificates were awarded to products achieving a set standard.
Butchers Q Guild General Manager Claire Holland said:
“These awards are a great way of showcasing our members and their achievements.
“They work really hard to develop outstanding products and to keep up with consumer trends therefore to have it topped off with an industry judged accolade is the icing on the cake.
“Although Duncan Fraser & Son did not achieve a Diamond award this year they should be very proud of this impressive haul.”
Lishman’s Butchers in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, was crowned the overall 2020 Smithfield ‘Star’ Awards supreme champion with Chilli Cheese Dogs, first chosen as the best product in the Innovative Sausage category.
Smithfield ‘Star’ Award sponsors were Lucas Ingredients, Dalziel, Innovative Food Ingredients, British Charcuterie Live, Weddel Swift, Verstegen, Taste of Game, Scobie & Junor and Institute of Meat.