Cumbria’s Cranstons has scooped a prestigious national industry award.
It was one of 10 artisan butchers from across the UK to be crowned top of their class in the Smithfield Awards.
The Cumbrian butcher which has food halls and shops across the county, won the Al Fresco Dining category for its Cumberland and Caramelised Onion Sausage Roll Garland, in what is widely recognised as the meat trade’s most high profile and challenging product evaluation.
The Q Guild of Butchers awards, which have run for more than 30 years, recognise and reward the UK’s finest craft butchery products.
Products are awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold award by a panel of independent industry judges, with all gold products in each category then pitched against each for the category champion Diamond Award.
Scoring 70 points out of a possible 70, Cranstons’ Cumberland and Caramelised Onion Sausage Roll Garland is a combination Cumberland sausagemeat, caramelised onion chutney and pastry.
The coveted Diamond Award was presented to Cranstons by Prof John Gilliland OBE DSc, a renowned authority on sustainable agriculture and food security.
The Cumbrian butcher also made the final shortlist in the Ready Meal category with its Topside and Cheddar Meatballs in Tomato Sauce which received Gold award status – the highest possible rating from the guild – and silver status for its Chicken and Ham Pie.
Cranston’s employee Jamie Collins was also shortlisted for this year’s Q Guild Young Butcher of the Year Award – a category open to all aged under 24 and designed to recognise and reward the UK’s up-and-coming talent who represent the very future of the industry.
Following in the footsteps of his father Nick, who manages the Hexham shop where he is based, Jamie earned his nomination through what his employers described as ‘exceptional talent, hard work and commitment to the craft of butchery’.
Chris Thompson, of Cranstons, said: “We’re thrilled to pick up an award for this product in particular as it’s an amazing combination of one of our most traditional products, the Cumberland sausage, something we are well known for, and a little bit of innovation in terms of creating an al fresco offering for family sharing.
“The award means a lot to our team who create and make this, but it also means a lot to our customers too who see the award proudly displayed next to the product.”
Gordon Wallace, Q Guild manager, said: “The standard of entries this year was as high as ever, making Cranstons’ achievement even more impressive.
“Being crowned best in class in our new Al Fresco Dining category, along with securing additional Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, is a fantastic accomplishment. We were delighted to present them with this award, which not only recognises the exceptional quality of their products but also contributes to raising industry standards and driving innovation in the craft butchery sector.
“We would also like to extend our congratulations to Jamie Collins for his nomination for our Young Butcher of the Year award, which highlights the skill, passion, and fresh thinking of young butchers, reinforcing confidence that the future of our craft is in capable hands.
A family run butchers for more than 100 years, Cranstons has four food halls in the region along with two shops in Penrith and Hexham.
