Winners of Category Champion Titles Crowned in National Craft Butcher’s 2026 Product Awards

Best of the Best – Winners of Category Champion Titles Crowned in National Craft Butcher’s 2026 Product Awards

The judges have spoken, and we can finally reveal the much-anticipated final Category Champions of the 2026 NCB Product Awards!

This week, representatives from National Craft Butchers and competition sponsors hand-delivered much-prized trophies directly to nine exceptional butchers, travelling from Cumbria to Kent to celebrate their achievements in person.

Craft butchers from across England and Wales submitted over 300 products into the awards, showcasing the remarkable quality they produce every day.

To claim a Category Champion title, products first had to attain gold award status. An expert judging panel, led by Head Judge Keith Fisher, F.Inst.M, then re-assessed all gold-awarded entries to select the ultimate winners.

Without further ado, here are the champions:

National Craft Butchers 2026 Product Award’s Category Champions

CategoryCategory ChampionProductSponsor
Traditional SausageWalter Smith Fine Foods, LichfieldCoarse cut Traditional Pork SausageLucas Ingredients
Innovative SausageTaylor Meats. Herne Bay, KentBoozy Butcher- Pork, Hop & Ale SausageThe Dalesman Group
Cold Eating PieThe Country Victualler, NottinghamshireChicken, Ham & Cheddar PieDalziel Ltd
Hot Eating PieThe Country Victualler, NottinghamshireDesperate Dan Steak & Stilton PieKelsius
Traditional BaconYorkshire Craft Butchery, Golcar, HuddersfieldDry Cure Back BaconTican Chilled Ltd
Innovative BaconMettrick’s Butchers, Glossop, DerbyshireItalian BaconSouth Coast Systems Ltd
Traditional Black PuddingB Curtis Farm Shop & Butchers, Wareham, DorsetHomemade Purbeck Black PuddingWindsor Food Machinery
Best 30 Minute MealGiglis Butchers, Lytham St AnnesFrench Trimmed Tandoori Chicken Leg, Saffron Rice & Creamy SpinachVerstegen Spices & Sauces
Game ProductThe Village Butchers Brockenhurst, HampshireVenison, Stilton & Cranberry TruffleGame Larder by Tarrant Refrigeration
Deli Meat and CharcuterieThe Country Victualler, NottinghamshireSmoked Duck BreastAngel Refrigeration
Delicatessen ProductGiglis Butchers, Lytham St AnnesQuiche LorraineThe Dalesman Group
BBQ ProductMettrick’s Butchers, Glossop, DerbyshireChicken Tikka KebabInnovative Food Ingredients

Judges Choice Award Winner

The Judges Choice Award is perhaps the most coveted honour of the competition, earned when every judge votes for their absolute favourite standout product. This year, the Judges Choice Award goes to Dales Traditional Butchers for their Chicken Tikka with Mango Onion Bhaji Dumplings.

The judges praised the product for its excellent composition and well balanced flavours, describing it as a well rounded product that delivered on every level.

Commenting on the awards, Head Judge, Keith Fisher said,

“I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to judge at butchery competitions all over the world, but nothing brings me greater pleasure than to see and taste first-hand the quality of products being produced right here on our doorsteps by Britain’s talented craft butchers.”

National Craft Butchers Managing Director Eleanor O’Brien added,

“We’ve been delighted with the ongoing success of NCB’s product awards, every year the quality, diversity, and innovation of butchers across England and Wales never fails to impress. Congratulations to the 2026 winners, who once again have succeeded in a very tough competition!“

All that remains is for winners to promote their success by proudly displaying their trophies, certificates, product stickers and digital award logos, thereby helping customers to easily spot award-winning products in store and online.

The full list of awards can be found at https://nationalcraftbutchers.co.uk/ncb-product-awards-2026-gold-silver-and-bronze-winners-announced/ All winning products are available to buy from independent craft butchers.

To find your local butcher visit: https://nationalcraftbutchers.co.uk/member-directory/

Sponsors & supporters