The wait is over! Winners of the 2025 National Craft Butchers Product Awards revealed

After a tense five week wait following judging at Harper Adams University on 4^th September, National Craft Butchers are delighted to announce the winners in the 2025 National Craft Butchers Product Awards.

The awards seek to uncover and reward the outstanding products being made every day by dedicated and highly skilled craft butchers throughout the UK.

Over 200 products were entered this year, with entries from butchers across 25 counties, from the South West to the North East and Wales.

Products were entered across nine categories, from traditional sausages to hot and cold pies, all assessed in blind tastings by a panel of industry experts. Products reaching Gold Standard were re-examined by Head Judge Keith Fisher, supported by Craft Buther magazine’s Claire Holland, before the category winners were chosen.

The 2025 National Craft Butchers Product Award Winners are:

Best 30 Minute Meal – Gigli’s Butcher’s, Lytham St Annes for their Chicken & Wild Mushroom, Gratin Potatoes & Roasted Vegetables
Best Cold Eating Pie – Owen Taylor & Sons, Alfreton, Derbyshire for their Stilton Pork Pie
Best Traditional Bacon – Owen Taylor & Sons, Alfreton, Derbyshire for their Homecured Streaky Bacon
Best Traditional Sausage – Robinsons Butchers of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton for their Breakfast Sausage
Best Innovative Bacon – Taylor Meats, Herne Bay, Kent for their Black garlic, dry cured streaky bacon
Best Game Product – J W Mettrick & Son Ltd, Glossop, Derbyshire for their Venison, Pancetta and Red Wine Pie
Best Black Pudding – Perrys of Eccleshall Ltd, Staffordshire for their Black Pudding
Best Innovative Sausage – Morgan’s Country Butchers, Telford, Shropshire for their Marmite & Cheese Sausage
Best Hot Eating Pie – Mike Maloney Country Butchers & Bakers Ltd, Tuxford, Nottinghamshire for their Desperate Dan Steak & Stilton Pie

Following the judging each judge was asked to select their personal ‘standout’ product from all the products they had judged and which they felt was worthy of the special Judges Choice award. The products shortlisted for this prestigious award were then reviewed again by the whole panel of judges to agree on an overall winner.

The 2025 Judge’s Choice award goes to:

Morgan’s Country Butchers, Telford, Shropshire for their Gloucester Old Spot Sausage

The judges felt it was a superb example of a first class sausage.

This week, representatives from National Craft Butchers visited the winning shops to present trophies and certificates, with category sponsors also taking part in the celebrations.

Robinsons – Traditional Sausage

Giglis Butchers – 30 minute meal

Taylor Meats – Innovative Bacon

Mike Maloney Country Butchers & Bakers Ltd – Hot eating pie

Perrys of Eccleshall Ltd – Black Pudding

Owen Taylor & Sons – Traditional Bacon

Owen Taylor & Sons – Cold eating pie

Morgan’s Country Butchers – Innovative sausage

Mettrick’s Butchers – Game

Commenting on the awards, Head Judge Keith Fisher said:

“I’ve judged in many competitions around the world over the course of my extensive career but I never fail to be surprised and delighted at the quality and innovation demonstrated by our butchers right here in the UK. Their products just keep getting better and better! “Today’s winners truly deserve their awards and they should be proud to represent the best of craft butchery today.’

Eleanor O’Brien, Managing Director of National Craft Butchers, added:

“The Product Awards celebrate the very best of our members’ craft. They give butchers the recognition they deserve and help customers see the quality available on their doorstep. I’m thrilled that over a third of entries were first time competitors, demonstrating that ambition and drive to succeed in the butchery business is stronger than ever. Thank you to all the butchers who entered, our judges, and of course our sponsors, listed below, for their invaluable support.”

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 First Results In: Gold, Silver and Bronze winners named in 2025 NCB Product Awards – National Craft Butchers. All winning products are available to buy from independent craft butchers.

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