A BUTCHER from Angus has been crowned the UK's first-ever black pudding champion after dusting off an old pre-war recipe.
D H Robertson in Arbroath was able to triumph over some of the “Goliaths of the industry” to win what has been described as the ultimate butchers’ challenge in a head-to-head title race in London.
Shop owner Steven Bennett said he was “bursting with pride” after his black pudding was crowned the best in the UK.
“This is just amazing – overwhelming,” he said.
“To be judged as making the best black pudding in the whole of the UK is such an honour.
“We faced some amazing talent from the rest of the country and came out tops – that’s just fantastic.”
Hosted by Scottish Craft Butchers, National Craft Butchers and Q Guild of Butchers, the event aims to become an annual or biennial battle among national and regional champion black pudding makers to find the ultimate winner in the UK.
Bennett was invited to compete as the current East of Scotland and reserve national Scottish champion with his black pudding already wowing Scottish judges.
He explained his recipe which won over the judges in London actually came with the shop and that he reckons it dates before the Second World War.
“It’s a recipe we inherited from Doug Robertson, a former owner of the business,” he said.
“The recipe book came with the shop.
“We reckon it dates back to before the Second World War and although our customers have been enjoying it for generations, I decided to dust it down and give it a wee tweak or two for today’s palette.”
Bennett’s tweaks proved to be a roaring success as his hand-mixed, small batch, black pudding has put Arbroath back under the culinary spotlight alongside the town’s famous Smokies – a type of smoked haddock.
“It’s tremendous that a wee family business in a small coastal town in Scotland can triumph over the Goliaths of the industry,” Bennett said.
“I’m so proud of my whole team for this amazing achievement. I never expected it in my wildest dreams.”
Bennett added he’s not parting with the winning recipe anytime soon, claiming his UK beating black pudding’s secrets are firmly under lock and key.
He runs the Arbroath family butcher business with a team of 12 staff, including his wife Pam and butcher daughter Ariane.
The team has reportedly already seen a boost in production in the run-up to the Champion of Champions announcement.
“We make all our black pudding with Scottish ingredients and love,” said Bennett, “and we’ll be happy to work 24 hours to meet demand if people want to taste the best black pudding in the UK.”
Gordon King, executive manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said the championship win was due recognition for Scotland’s independent craft butchers.
“Everyone invited to compete is a champion in their own right,” said Gordon, “so it really was a battle of the Titans.
“Black pudding competitions are always fiercely fought events among our butchers and the UK title was the one they all wanted to win – especially as it’s the first ever champions’ showdown of its type.
“Scotland fielded a really strong team of regional and national champions and DH Robertson’s win underpins the belief that our small producers of high-quality food can triumph at UK level against the fiercest competition.
“It’s heart-warming to know that our members are not only considered the best but judged the best. You don’t have to be big to win big.”
