Butcher wins gold award

Nov 5 2009 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

LOCAL butcher Hugh Black and Sons steak pies are as good as gold.

The butcher, which has shops in Bathgate and Armadale, received a gold award in the Scottish Butchers Traditional Steak Pie competition, run by the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders.

Hugh Black said: “We are really pleased to have picked up this award. It’s always nice to be recognised for your work.

“We established our business in the Armadale shop back in 1987 and have been trading in the Bathgate shop for the past nine years.

“In the past we have won various awards for our black puddings and sausages but from our point of view it’s nice to be nominated for a traditional steak pie because it’s an everyday product.”

A total of 80 butchers from across Scotland took part, submitting their product for evaluation by a panel of experts and enthusiasts at Perth College last month.

Pies were judged in two categories — traditional and speciality.

Scottish Federation of Meat Trades Associations president Stuart Christie said: “The evaluation is held to highlight one of Scotland’s favourite dishes and to identify butchers whose steak pies are worthy of recognition.”

Douglas Sword of sponsors William Sword bakers added: “We have a very long association with the butchery trade in Scotland, having supplied pastry for over 50 years, and it is very heartening to see the breadth and depth of talent represented by these awards.“

Hugh Black is pictured receiving the award.