One of London's oldest family butchers has scooped three prestigious honours at this year’s Smithfield Awards.
Organised by the Q Guild of Butchers, the gongs are the meat trade's highest profile awards and recognise the best butchery products.
They were handed out - appropriately - at Butchers’ Hall in London by Chef and judge Jeremy Lee, with 12 artisan retailers from across the UK crowned top of their class.
Lidgate's, which has notched up five generations of knowledge behind the counter of its Holland Park Avenue shop, won Diamond awards for their barbecue product Chinese five spice rib rack, and speciality game meat product Guinea fowl Kiev.
They also won the Judge's wildcard - a new award for an item that tickled the panel's tastebuds - for their intriguing Angus cheeseburger sausage.
Judges awarded each item a Bronze, Silver or Gold, with Gold products in each category going forward for the champion Diamond accolade.
Lidgate's rib rack scored an unimprovable 70 out of 70 points from judges, while the guinea fowl was acclaimed "a truly excellent product".
The shop's free range sugar pit bacon chop was also awarded a Gold.
Danny Lidgate said: "We were absolutely delighted to win these accolades at such a historic and prestigious awards. The whole team are over the moon!"
Lee, who runs renowned Soho eaterie Quo Vadis, added: "The awards are a testament to the hard work done by butchers the length and breadth of the British Isles. Tis a noble calling requiring great skill and knowledge. A good butcher is as vital as a good market and a good greengrocer or cheesemonger. They inform the public and encourage good cooking at home, in pubs and restaurants."
Q Guild manager Gordon Wallace said being crowned best in class in three categories was "a fantastic achievement for Lidgate’s".
"We were delighted to present them with their award, which not only endorses the quality of their products but helps to raise standards and drive innovation across the craft butchery industry."
Lidgate's has been supplying meat to Londoners since 1850 and is famed for its ethically-sourced organic and rare breed meat from selected farms, and added value recipes and dishes - from sausage rolls to pies, pasties and kebabs.
If you're not lucky enough to live close to Holland Park, Lidgate's has an online delivery service that includes groceries and seafood. https://lidgates.com/
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