The search is on to find a top butcher with the skills and passion worthy of being crowned the “Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year”.
The annual competition is looking for butchers with a real passion for the job, who take pride in stocking Scotch Lamb PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and showcasing numerous innovative products using Scotch Lamb.
Butchers who stock Scotch Lamb are invited to enter their best and most innovative Scotch Lamb products from marinated products to burgers and sausages, pies, bakery items and ready meals.
Innovation is key
As well as the Scotch Lamb Butcher of the Year Award, there will also be awards for the most innovative Scotch Lamb product and the most consumer-friendly product.
The judging panel will include representatives from The Federation of Chefs Scotland, who will cast a critical and expert eye over the entrants’ products.
Any entry worthy of the coveted top prize must be cooked quickly, entice consumers to buy Scotch Lamb and to shop with their local butcher.
John Lawsons Butchers in West Lothian was crowned champion in 2017. The team said they were “absolutely delighted” to have been recognised for their Scotch Lamb products.
The award acknowledges the steps taken by the Lawsons to deliver excellent quality, innovative Scotch Lamb products to their customers.
Love Lamb Week
The launch of the awards coincides with Love Lamb Week and the start of a nine-week Scotch Lamb PGI marketing campaign by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
The “Scotch Lamb, Naturally” campaign, which for the first time includes television advertising as part of the promotional mix, aims to reach four million consumers, inspiring and encouraging people in Scotland to seek out lamb as a tasty, quick, simple meal.
Graeme Sharp, marketing executive at QMS, highlights the fact that Scotch Lamb PGI is renowned for its high levels of traceability, assurance and welfare standards.
“The awards themselves send out a very positive message about the combination of knowledge, traditional skills and innovation offered by our butchers,” he said.
More Information
Judging for the competition will take place in October and the winners will be announced at the Scottish Chefs annual conference in November and those selected for awards will be invited to attend.
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