Highland butcher wins big as sliced sausage recognised in nationwide awards
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Ali Paul, owner of A & I Quality Butchers in Culloden has been crowned as the Sliced Sausage Champion in the Scottish Craft Butchers Awards 2022.
The hard-working local has been in the trade for 45 years and was delighted with his success.
"I don't think people realise what a significant thing this is for a butcher," he said. "Sliced sausage is one of the pillars of the butchers trade and to be judged the best in Scotland is absolutely thrilling - it's a huge achievement.
"We're making around 50 bars of 20 slices each week, but I expect we'll have to increase production to cope with the rush of customers a national title invariably brings."
Mr Paul refuses to disclose the much sought after recipe, but did say that he uses locally sourced beef, and a precise ratio of fat, rusks, water and seasoning to create his master sausage.
He dedicated the championship to his team of 16, who he said went above and beyond during the pandemic to continue to serve the community.
He continued: "We went from delivering 30 orders a week before the crisis to 300 orders a week throughout. We refused no one and the staff were fantastic - they just dug in and got on with it.
"To be crowned Scottish Champions for our square sausage is something they can all take pride in, knowing it's just a reward for a job well done."
Scottish Craft Butchers President Tom Courts added: "It's great to see butchers vying for the accolades again after Covid, and we're seeing the very best of the best take this year's championships.
"It gives a butcher a great lift to know his products are judged to be the best in Scotland and customers can be assured that the championship-winning product they buy across the counter at A & I Quality Butchers is exactly the same as those that secured the judges' vote in the competition."
David Chisholm, commercial manager with awards sponsors Scobie and Junior Group, congratulated Ali and his team on their title-winning product.
“Scobie and Junor Group is proud to sponsor the Sliced Sausage awards 2022 and delighted that A & I Quality Butchers, a family award-winning butchers, is continuing to deliver excellent quality Scottish produce," he said. "Scobie have been supporting Scottish butchers for over 20 years and are also long standing members of the Scottish Craft Butchers.”
