Port Glasgow butcher scoops award in national craft butchery awards

Port Glasgow butcher, Robert Alexander, have picked up a national award in the Smithfield Star Awards, announced at Butchers Hall in London last week.

One of twelve artisan butchers from across the UK to be crowned top of their class, the Port Glasgow butcher won the award for ‘Best Barbecue Product’ with their Black Garlic Medallions of Beef, in what is widely recognised as the meat trade’s most high profile and challenging product evaluation.

Organised by the Q Guild of Butchers, the prestigious awards which have run for more than 30 years, recognise and reward the UK’s finest craft butchery products including Traditional Pork Sausage, Best Burgers, Gluten-Free Product, Best Bacon, BBQ Product and Black Pudding.

Products are evaluated using a 1, 2 and 3 star rating system by a panel of independent industry judges, with all 3 star products in each category then pitched against each for the category champion Diamond Award.

Described by judges as ‘a superb product’, the barbecue dish created by Robert Alexander, received top marks beating five other UK butchers to secure the coveted Diamond Award, which was presented to the team by much-loved restaurateur and Michelin star chef Angela Hartnett OBE. The Port Glasgow butcher also made the shortlist with its Italian Sausages and Tandoori Lamb Henries, both of which were each awarded three-star status – the highest possible rating.

Gordon Wallace, Q Guild Manager said: “The standard of entries this year was higher than ever with a 20% increase in the number of products awarded three stars so being crowned best in class, alongside two additional three star awards is no mean feat! We were delighted to present Robert Alexander with their award which is a fantastic endorsement of their products while also helping raise standards across the board and driving product development in the craft butchery industry.”

Drew McKenzie of Robert Alexander, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won the Barbecue category with our Black Garlic Medallions of Beef. It’s always an honour to win against such strong competition and with Barbecue season coming up, we’re looking forward to a great summer!”

Robert Alexander offer a free delivery service within 10 miles of Port Glasgow. For more information go to https://alexanderbutchers.co.uk

This year’s sponsors were Lucas Ingredients, Innovative Ingredients, Scobie & Junor, DB Foods, BritishCharcuterie.live, Verstegen, EatGame, Dalziel, The Worshipful Company of Butchers, Weddel Swift and The Institute of Meat.

Notes to Editors

Q Guild of Butchers

The Q Guild of Butchers represent quality butchers and independent meat retailers in the UK. Its members have businesses across the UK from Inverness to Cornwall and serve millions worth of outstanding meat and related products to over a quarter of a million discerning UK consumers every week. Its quality butchers are award-winning, leading experts in their field. The Q Guild brand is a seal of quality and excellence. To find out more visit https://www.qguild.co.uk.