A Perth father and son emerged victorious in one of the meat industry’s most fiercely contested competitions.
Run by Scottish Craft Butchers as part of its biennial Trade Fair in Perth, Butcher Wars attracted top talent from all over Scotland and south of the border.
And three Scottish champions emerged victorious from the tense 45-minute battle to lift the top titles in the UK’s top theatrical showdown.
Taking top honours in the pairs competition were father and son duo Richard, 47, and Ben, 20, Megahy from Simon Howie Butcher in Perth.
Meanwhile the singles title was won by Fife butcher Sean Graham, 34, co-owner of Pearson Hepburn & Co. in Kirkcaldy.
Show-stopping event attracted hundreds
Butcher wars – a theatrical concept imported from Australia – challenged butchers to break down a half lamb and a half saddle of pork to create a show-stopping counter display in just 45 minutes.
Each was judged on a raft of criteria including their appearance, butchery skills, food safety, creativity, wastage, health and safety and their final display.
More than 600 people attended the event which saw some of the industry’s most skilled professionals locked in battle on the show stage.
26 years with Simon Howie
Pairs champion Richard Megahy said it was one of the proudest moments of his life when he led his son to victory after a nail-biting finish.
“It was pretty tense,” he said. “We had three minutes to go and not a product on the display.
“We were right down to the wire but when the klaxon sounded, we had made it – 22 products trimmed, garnished, on display and all looking good.”
Richard, who has been with Simon Howie for 26 years, is a seasoned competition entrant and a former member of Team GB Butchers.
Son never returned to college
But he puts this latest achievement up there with the best.
“It was an emotional day for us,” he said.
“A just reward for our long hours of practice and the special working relationship Ben and I have. It was so special to win with him at my side.
“He was outstanding – I’m so proud of how he kept it together and really pulled out something special on the day.”
Ben joined his dad’s team at Simon Howie’s Perth shop during the Covid era after lockdown restrictions closed the college and called a halt to his joinery studies.
“I never went back,” he said. “It’s been great to follow in dad’s footsteps and take on this huge challenge side-by-side.
“This is my first competition and to win is just incredible – and on home turf – what a buzz.”
Fife man wins on ‘terrifying’ stage
Singles champion Sean Graham watched every heat before he took to the stage in the last performance of the day and said the pressure was “immense”.
“I was watching the very best in the country and knew I had not only to match them in speed and skill, but actually beat them,” he said.
A former trainer for Scottish Craft Butchers modern apprenticeships, Sean was also aware of the scrutiny from many of his former students in the audience who had high expectations.
“It is a really terrifying stage,” he said.
“But I had put in a lot of late nights practising against the clock and I knew I just had to keep it together and do the best I could.
“Time just runs away with you. It felt like 10 minutes rather than 45. I needed every last second.”
Sean joined the trade straight from school aged 16 and bought into the Kirkcaldy business a year ago.
“It’s been a great profession for me,” he said, “but winning butcher wars has to be a career highlight.
“Butcher wars is one of the toughest tests out there and I’m over the moon to have won – absolutely delighted.”
Record crowds
Scottish Craft Butchers president George Jarron said: “The trade fair was a huge success with record crowds, over 30 exhibitors, our first ever World Haggis Championship, the Pork Sausage Championship, the Scottish Sausage Linking Challenge and the presentation of Craft Skills Scotland meat industry achievement awards and product evaluation awards.
“It was a terrific day out for the country’s butchers and huge congratulations to all who took home a trophy.”
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