Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Meet the meaty burger champions
Three top awards to add to impressive record
Two local butchers struck gold at the recent Scottish Craft Butchers awards.
Hugh Black & Sons scooped three top gongs in the burger category, while Fergusons lifted one for their unsmoked bacon, as well as several silver awards in the burger section.
Hugh Black’s beefburger, sweet chili burger and Mexican hot shot cheese tickled the judges’ tastebuds and factory manager William Kemp spoke of his pride at the achievement.
He said: “The awards we’ve won in the past have been largely pastry based so this just highlights our diversity.
“There were hundreds of burgers at the event and it was really competitive.
“Everyone was fighting for top spot so I’m really proud that we were judged the cream of the crop.
“Three golds is amazing and we also picked up a silver for our steak and spring onion burger.
“Coming into what will hopefully be a busy barbecue season, this can make such a difference to us.
“It’s a cutthroat business and you need to be at the top of your game to keep standards high.”
William continued: “We look at recipes and look at all sorts of research to keep up with foodie trends.
“Three of us get our heads together and do staff tasters and go with a majority verdict.”
Paul Boyle, president of the Scottish Craft Butchers added: “These evaluations always reveal really appealing products that craft butchers make and sell.
“The superior quality of home-cured products is widely acknowledged by customers and the innovative range comes as a response to customer becoming more adventurous with their tastes and they are always keen to support local businesses who make their own unique quality products.
“It is always worth going the extra mile for something extra special.”