Bolton butcher, Fraser’s, has scooped two prestigious national awards for its Mega Burger and Minted Lamb and Halloumi Kebab, at this year’s Smithfield Awards, announced at Butchers’ Hall in London last week.
One of ten artisan butchers from across the UK to be crowned top of their class, the Bolton butcher won the Diamond awards in both the Burger and BBQ category, 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 awards which have run for more than 30 years, recognise and reward the UK’s finest craft butchery products including sausages, bacon, burgers, steak, game products, BBQ products and more.
Products are awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold award by a panel of independent industry judges, with all Gold products in each category then pitched against each for the category champion Diamond Award.
Scoring a remarkable 70 points out of a possible 70, Fraser’s Minted Lamb and Halloumi Kebab was described by judges as an ‘excellent product’. It’s Mega Burger also impressed judges with 67 points out of 70 and was described as ‘a very tasty burger, which looks and feels premium and has a lovely blend of flavour’. The coveted Diamond Awards were presented to Fraser’s by Prof John Gilliland OBE DSc, a renowned authority on sustainable agriculture and food security.
The butcher also made the final shortlist in the Hot Eating Pie category with its Roast Chicken and Gravy Pie and its Meat and Potato Pie, the Bacon category with its Home-Cured Streaky Bacon, the Al Fresco Dining category with its Pork Pie and the Best Butchers Steak category for its Black Garlic Ribeye – with all five receiving Gold award status – the highest possible rating from the Guild. Fraser’s was also awarded silver status for its Traditional Pork Sausage.
Andy Hull from Fraser’s butchers said: “The ethos of our shop is quality. We start with good quality meat and our butchers work together to make a fantastic quality product whatever it is we do. The Mega Burger is definitely our bestselling burger and we’re very proud of it. Our Minted Lamb and Halloumi Kebab is another product where we start with good quality ingredients. It’s testament to the BBQ products that we make as we sell them all year round including Christmas week and we never take them out of the counter! People travel from all over the NW and Greater Manchester to shop with us because they know they’ll get excellent quality meat.”
Gordon Wallace, Q Guild Manager said: “The standard of entries this year was as high as ever, making Fraser’s achievement even more impressive. Being crowned best in class in two categories, along with securing five additional Gold awards, is a fantastic accomplishment. We were delighted to present them with this award, which not only recognises the exceptional quality of their products but also contributes to raising industry standards and driving innovation in the craft butchery sector.”
Located on Rishton Lane in Great Lever, Fraser’s Butchers are traditional craft whole animal butchers using modern skills and techniques. https://frasersfoods.co.uk/
