Butcher Wars Perth 2019

Top Scottish butchers proved they’re a cut above in industry competition when the very first Butcher Wars to be held in the Northern Hemisphere was staged on 12 May 2019 at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth.
A totally new concept for Scotland, main sponsor Scotch Lamb PGI

The country`s butchers went to war at the weekend in one of the industry`s most fiercely contested competitions.

A trio of Scottish butchers have proved they’re a cut above 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 Davidsons Specialist Butcher based in the company`s Inverurie and Elgin shops lifted the pairs title.

The competition, which took place at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth, 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.

BUTCHER WARS SINGLES CHAMPION
Congratulations to the winner Barry Green from Cairngorm Butchers in Grantown-on-Spey.

After a 9-year absence from the competitive stage, former Junior and Senior Scottish Butcher of the Year, 40-year-old Barry Green described his comeback as like "the Tiger Woods of the butchers industry".

"I`m absolutely ecstatic, 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."

THE CHALLENGERS SINGLES - HEAT ONE

Judges: Keith Fisher, Bruce Fyfe and Steven Mitchell.

1 Neil Anderson, Cairngorm Butchers, Grantown- on -Spey

2 Craig Robertson, James Chapman (Butchers) Ltd, Wishaw

3 Gavin Smith

4 Scott Jarvie, James Anderson, Leith

5 Ewan Paterson, Kenneth Allan Butchers, Auchterarder

THE CHALLENGERS SINGLES - HEAT TWO

6 Barry Green, Cairngorm Butchers, Grantown-on-Spey

7 Gary Raeburn, Forbes Raeburn The Family Butcher, Huntly

8 Stuart Rankin, Falleninch Farm Butcher, Stirling

9 Simon Taylor, Surrey Hills Butcher, Leatherhead

10 Brian McVicar, DG Lindsay Butchers, Perth

BUTCHER WARS PAIRS CHAMPIONS
Well done to Steven Cusack and Hamish Jones from Davidson Specialist Butcher, Inverurie.

Triumphant pairs champions Steven (32) and Hamish (20) entered the Butchers Wars to gain experience on a national competition stage and were "over the moon" to emerge victorious.
"It`s an amazing achievement," they agreed. "We`re delighted. This is a great accolade to take back to the North East."

"I pestered Steven to enter us so that I could learn more about the trade," said Hamish. "He`s glad I did now!"

THE CHALLENGERS PAIRS - HEAT ONE

Judges: Keith Fisher, Brian Reilly and Steven Strachan.

1 Sean Melville, Yorkes of Dundee
Nathan Burwood, Yorkes of Dundee

2 Scott McRitchie, Scott Brothers, Dundee
Jack Gray, Scott Brothers, Dundee

3 Robbie Hughan, Blair Drummond Smiddy
Euan McLagan, Blair Drummond Smiddy

4 Sean Kokot, Ramsays of Carluke
Alan Neill, Ramsays of Carluke

5 Pearce Sommerville, Callaghans of Helensburgh
Jamie Gorman, Callaghans of Helensburgh

6 Cavin Breen, Scott Brothers, Broughty Ferry
Gregor Caul, Scott Brothers, Broughty Ferry

THE CHALLENGERS PAIRS - HEAT TWO

7 Ewan Morrice, Ewan Morrice Quality Butchers, Stuartfield
Scott Neil, Ewan Morrice Quality Butchers, Stuartfield

8 Beaton Lindsay, DG Lindsay Butchers, Perth
Koen Barclay, D G Lindsay Butchers, Perth

9 Callum Morrice, Bert Fowlie Butchers, Strichen
Darren Baxter, Bert Fowlie Butchers, Strichen

10 Scott Johnston, Fergusons of Airdrie
Lee Morrison, Fergusons of Airdrie

11 Steven Cusack, Davidson Specialist Butcher, Inverurie
Hamish Jones, Davidson Specialist Butcher, Inverurie

12 Scott Gillies, John Stewart Quality Butcher Ltd. Banff
Ryan MacGillivray, John Stewart Quality Butcher Ltd. Banff

Many thanks to all our sponsors and AV Dept for enabling this event to be staged to such a high level.

Judging criteria included the butchers’ appearance, final appearance of their display, creativity, technique and speed wastage as well as food safety and health and safety.

Alan Clarke, Quality Meat Scotland’s Chief Executive, said: “Scotland is home to a huge amount of talented, innovative and dedicated butchers, and with the Scottish Butchers Wars highlighting all of these skills in what was an electric competition.

“The competition added to the atmosphere of the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair and encouraged the crowds to participate as each element of the butchery process was expertly showcased, with the winners each displaying a real understanding of Specially Selected Pork and Scotch Lamb cuts – brands which are underpinned by quality assurance and high welfare standards.”

Douglas Scott, Chief Executive of Scottish Craft Butchers hailed the inaugural Butchers Wars a "huge success".

"Butchers Wars are a feature in Australia and New Zealand but this is the first time they have been staged in any other country," he said. "We put on a show that combined all the skill, innovation and passion of some of the country`s leading butchers with theatre and showmanship and the result was fantastic. It was quite a show and everyone has loved being a part of it."

Renowned international judge Keith Fisher headed up the day`s judging team, praising the standard of skill and innovation on display.

"I judge competitions all over the world and it is always a pleasure to see the highly skilled butchers of Scotland in action. The Butchers Wars have brought out the best in an impressive and exciting display to thrill both judges and audience and I am in no doubt that the future of Scotland`s local butchers is in safe hands after seeing them in action."

• Photos from Butcher Wars Perth 2019

Related Stories

• 2019-20 Scottish Haggis Champion
• 2019-2020 Scottish Pork Sausage Champion
• 2019 BBQ Product Evaluation
• 2019 Ready to Cook Product Evaluation