Cross enjoys sizzling success at evaluation

The Cross Butchers in Kilsyth captured the taste buds of the judges at the recent Scottish Craft Butchers product evaluation.
John Fleming receiving his awards from Scottish Craft Butchers evaluation contest sponsors, David Langley (left) from Dalesman and Robert Watson (right) from McAusland CrawfordJohn Fleming receiving his awards from Scottish Craft Butchers evaluation contest sponsors, David Langley (left) from Dalesman and Robert Watson (right) from McAusland Crawford
John Fleming receiving his awards from Scottish Craft Butchers evaluation contest sponsors, David Langley (left) from Dalesman and Robert Watson (right) from McAusland Crawford

John Fleming won Gold for both Pork and Smokey Bacon Sausage and Beef Brazilian Black Pepper Sausage, plus silver for Beef Sliced Sausage.

The sausages were submitted for grilling by the experts at an evaluation held at Forth Valley College, with the winners being announced at the Craft Butchers regional meeting held at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew.

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The event, sponsored by McAusland Crawford and Dalesman Group, attracted 276 entries from sausage makers all over Scotland from Orkney to Solway.

With that level of competition John knew he had to produce something special to win over the judging panel which was drawn from the meat industry experts and enthusiastic sausage aficionados.

He said: “The sausage has come a long way since I first started as a butcher 37 years ago, back then you only had your beef and pork link, and perhaps a sliced. Now we offer 50 per cent more products than we did even five or six years ago.

“People’s tastes continue to change and they want to try new things so we are always thinking up new recipes we hope will appeal to our customers.

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“Customer feedback is the most important thing as there is no point in offering a product that no one wants to buy and I’m delighted to say both the Pork and Smokey Bacon and Beef Brazilian Black Pepper sausages have proven very popular.

“In an age where everyone can buy their meat at the supermarket it is vitally important to be able to prove the quality of your products and winning awards like these from the Scottish Craft Butchers helps us do that.”

Muirhead butcher S Collins & Son also enjoyed success from the evaluation winning silver for both Authentic Italian Style Sausage and Pork and Marmalade Sausage.