MTJ’s Butcher’s Shop of the Year (BSOTY) awards continue to gather pace and, this year, will see the introduction of a new stand-alone category into the event — Halal Butcher’s Shop of the Year.
The competition aims to reward the best businesses across the butchery trade and this year sees that extend into the ethnic sector, with support from Eblex.
Ed Bedington, editor of MTJ, said: “The halal sector is a growing market, and there are increasing numbers of shops opening to cater for that trade. It’s very exciting to be able to include them as a new category into this competition and recognise some of the talent in that sector.”
Naved Syed, from the Eblex Halal Steering Group, welcomed the inclusion. “In sponsoring the Halal Butcher’s Shop of the Year 2010, Eblex, under the leadership of Nick Allen, clearly shows it is serious about being in the halal market.”
Eblex head of trade development Peter Hardwick said: “The halal market is very important to the English sheep meat production sector. With a growing population and high-quality meat produced in this country, we expect the halal sector to continue to expand.
“We are delighted to be able to support the industry through this award in recognition of the high quality of product and butchery standards that we see in halal butchers around the country.”
The Butcher’s Shop of the Year Award covers butchers shops around the country, with the winner in each region going head to head to see which one is declared the best butcher’s shop in the UK.
As well as the new halal category, the competition also sees other stand-alone national awards, including Butcher’s Plus, Farm Shop and Young Butcher of the Year.
The competition is judged in two rounds, with an initial paper entry assessed by a panel of expert judges from a broad spectrum of retail and butchery experience, including last year’s winner Brian Fields, who took the overall title with his business Fields of Anlaby. A shortlist of three finalists in each category will then be visited by our on-the-road judges to decide the overall winners.
A further category of Innovation of the Year will also be assessed on paper, and the winner picked during the first round of judging.
Bedington added: “With some still feeling the effects of the recession and the government looking to cut back and hit consumers’ pockets, it’s more important than ever to ensure your business shines out from the rest. Winning an award at Butcher’s Shop of the Year can help boost your business and keep customers coming back through the hard times and the good times.”
This year’s awards, which take place on 16 November at The Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London, are sponsored by Eblex, Bpex, Weddel Swift and Harmony Farm, Lucas Ingredients, Tican Chilled, Bizerba, QMS’ Scotch Butcher’s Club and the Meat Training Council.
Joining the sponsors this year will be Verstegen Spices & Sauces. Peter Van Cotthem, general manager, said: “We’re delighted to be backing these awards. Butchers’ shops are a vital and vibrant part of the high street retail landscape and we need to recognise those who are doing a great job.”