Three top butchers from across Wales went head-to-head for the title of Welsh Butcher’s Shop of the Year at a UK-wide award ceremony hosted by William Reed Business Media.

At a glitzy ceremony at the Hilton London Bankside, Dewi James a’i Gwmni of the Teifi Valley, Douglas Willis of Cwmbran and Wavells Butchers of Llanrug eagerly anticipated the results. And it was Douglas Willis of Cwmbran that won the crown of Welsh Butcher’s Shop of the Year 2019.

The three are all members of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC)’s Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef Butchers’ Club.

This year, HCC provided the PGI Welsh beef steak which was enjoyed by over 200 industry professionals at the awards dinner which was a chance to promote the brand within the UK and Ireland industry.

Kirstie Jones, HCC’s market development officer, commented: “I was delighted to see members of the HCC Butcher’s Club nominated for awards this year and many congratulations to the team at Douglas Willis from Cwmbran. These are very important awards which recognize excellence in the meat industry.

“HCC is proud to work with members of the Butchers’ Club to market the very best of Welsh lamb, Welsh beef and pork from Wales, and were delighted to be providing Welsh beef at the ceremony.”

As a result of their win, Douglas Willis will be providing the meat for the HCC cooking demonstrations at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at the end of the month.

“We are delighted to have won the Welsh Butcher's Shop of the Year this year, and are delighted to be supplying the meat in the Royal Welsh Winter Fair later on in the month. Congratulations to all the other finalists from Wales,” said Peter Willis of Douglas Willis.

As part of the award ceremony the Champion of Champions UK and Ireland Best Sausage award was also held. Puff Pigs from the Cynon Valley, who won HCC’s ‘Put Your Best Sausage Forward’ competition held at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year, were finalists with their chilli and garlic sausage.