Scottish Black Pudding Champion crowned

“The Watsons black pudding was a delicious exemplar of its kind and I think will sit very well on a British and World plate."

Listen to Robert Watsons reaction

Leven butchers Watsons of Leven have been crowned the 2016-2017 Scottish Black Pudding Champions after winning the final judged under the leadership of Wendy Barrie of the Scottish Food Guide.

As East of Scotland champions, Watson’s Black Pudding was mystery shopped and tested against the champions purchased over the counter in the other four regions of Scotland. These puddings were from Hawick, Dingwall, Largs and Wemyss Bay and the final took place at Wendy’s test kitchen in Aberdour.

The presentation of the championship trophy took place on Tuesday 10th May when George Stuart from competition sponsors, Dalziel Ltd was in Leven to do the honours.

Head judge Wendy Barrie said of the Leven Black Pudding:-

“Five black puddings, they were delicious puddings and it wasn’t easy to decide. We revisited some of them, we cooked some more samples and we take it very very seriously our black puddings. We did get a clear winner in the end.

“The deciding factor? I think it was a combination, it had to have a balance with a little bit of texture, a lovely balance of taste with no one thing overwhelming it. It is a culmination of factors and it has to look good so that it appeals to the consumer.

“The five were very different; right through a range of colours, textures, size, thickness of slices – they didn’t even cook in the same time. A real big range but I think every one of them had something that was rather appealing, they all had their good points. It was fascinating.

“The Watsons black pudding was a delicious exemplar of its kind and I think will sit very well on a British and World plate. Congratulations to Watsons of Leven.”

The 2016-2017 Scottish Black Pudding Regional winners were as follows:-

North of Scotland Champion: Fraser Brothers, Dingwall
South East of Scotland Champion: James Pringle, 56 High Street, Hawick TD9 9EE
East of Scotland Champion: Watsons of Leven, KY8 4PF
West of Scotland Champion: Mearns T McCaskie, Wemyss Bay PA18 6AA
South West Scotland Champion: AD Paton, Largs KA30 8 AU