A Cumbrian butchery has won a top national award.
Roast Mutton, in Kendal, was named Butcher of the Year Award in the 2023 Countryside Alliance Awards.
The awards ceremony held at the House of Lords saw owner Robert Unwin and shop manager Evonne Sowerby collect the coveted award.
Roast Mutton had already been awarded the North of England title.
The awards, now in their 16th year, are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell us why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim.
The national butchery title is specifically designed to celebrate the butcher who provides a key link between local people and the farms and fields that surround them. Commending their high regard for animal welfare and the fact that they put their community on the map through the quality local produce they sell.
Roast Mutton opened its doors less than two years ago and ever since, Robert has set out to showcase the region’s finest quality produce in his shop.
Judges said: ‘’It is a measure of Robert’s success that in several months, he has built up a phenomenal fanbase. You will certainly see folks queuing regularly outside his Kendal shop. They are enthused by Rob’s passion as much as his fabulous produce. His pride in local sourcing is second to none, as is his nose-to-tail approach to butchery.’’
Robert said: ‘’I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for me. We are over the moon, and it still hasn’t really sunk in.
“We all care about what we do, and this recognises what we wanted to try and achieve for our customers. We care about what we source, how it’s reared and where we source our produce from, we go to great lengths to get to know each and every farmer we work with, many of whom can be found within a 20-mile radius of the shop.
“Each and every one of them is as passionate as we are about creating high quality, great tasting and ethically reared produce. And what’s clear from this award is that our customers care about where there food comes from too and that means the world to everyone involved, because that’s why we go to the lengths we do.’’
