A butcher from Elderslie has proved he’s a cut above after receiving a gold standard for his steak at a top competition.
Mark Smyth’s sirloin steak came out on top at the Scottish Craft Butcher Awards evaluation for naked steak against 60 other competitors.
And he also took gold in the gourmet pastry category against 99 others that were judged at Forth Valley College in August.
Mark, who runs the Elderslie Butcher, was handed gold awards for his beef wellington and Balmoral parcels with silver for his chimichurri lattice and Italian croissant in the gourmet pastry products.
Mark and his colleagues were delighted to be presented with awards at the recent regional meeting hosted at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew, by the event organisers, Scottish Craft Butchers.
Tom Courts, president of the Scottish Craft Butchers, said: “We run these evaluations not just to award excellence, but to underline the diverse product range that Scottish Craft Butchers offer.
“Local butchers are the specialist in our field and with customers becoming more adventurous with their tastes, they are always seeking out the assurance of provenance that shopping at a specialist provides.”
The naked steak competition was sponsored by Dalziel Ltd.
Senior manager David Darroch said: “Dalziel Ltd are always delighted to support Scottish Craft Butchers in the development and promotion of the high-quality products they produce.
“Sirloin steak is one of the traditional cuts that butchers up and down the country are renowned for, the quality of entries was exceptionally high, and we congratulate all the award winners”.
The gourmet pastry evaluation was sponsored by Scotweigh Ltd and company director Ian McVicar said: “Scotweigh have a fantastic association with Scottish Craft Butchers members.
“We are always delighted to have the chance to help recognise their incredibly diverse talent in coming up with new innovative ideas such as those in the gourmet pastry category.
“Local craft butchers always strive to excel and have raised the bar once again.”
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