Alnwick-based Turnbull’s has earned four gold awards from the Q Guild of Butchers – while also being shortlisted for a diamond award – at the organisation’s annual product evaluation.
More than 200 products were put forward by butchers from across the UK for this year’s Smithfield Awards, organised by the Q Guild of Butchers. Turnbull’s earned gold honours for its Northumbrian pork and haggis sausage; maple-cured smoked bacon; bistro beef, black pudding and Stilton pie; and venison Wellington. The venison Wellington will also be competing for a diamond award later this year.
On the day of the awards in London, a cook-off will be held for the diamond awards, with the shortlisted products set to be reviewed by an experienced team of judges, including Irish butcher Pat Whelan. The overall victor among diamond winners will be named supreme champion and receive the Smithfield platinum award.
“It’s an honour to have been awarded gold for four of the products we make here at Turnbull’s,” said butcher Alex Daley. “We are up there with the best of the best in the UK, and to also be selected for a diamond award is a huge achievement for us.”
The pork and haggis sausage is made using Turnbull’s own-recipe haggis, which has recently been passed on from fifth-generation Turnbull’s custodian, Mark Turnbull, to his son Daniel. The haggis is ground with free-range pork with a hint of sage and red onion to produce the sausages.
Meanwhile, the bacon is cold-smoked in Turnbull’s own smoker over maple wood chips for 6-8 hours before slicing; the pie uses Northumbrian rump steak along with Turnbull’s homemade black pudding; and the venison Wellington is made using local wild venison and Turnbull’s homemade chicken liver pate.
The Smithfield Awards recognise and reward the best meat products from butchers across the UK, showcasing their craftmanship, innovation and skill. Categories include artisan home-cured bacon, black pudding, BBQ products, best butcher’s steak, traditional pork sausage, and traditional pork pies.
Matthew Slack, sales and marketing manager at Turnbull’s, added: “These awards not only serve as a prestigious industry endorsement, but also highlight the skill and innovation of our team. Here’s to the possibility of our products being crowned the best in the UK!”
