West Midlands butcher scoops top national award for its 'tasty' sausages

Sutton Coldfield butcher Chase Farm Shop has scooped a top national award for its Moroccan lamb sausages at this year’s Smithfield Awards.

One of 10 artisan butchers from across the UK to be crowned best in their class, the shop won the ‘Innovative Sausage‘ category at the awards held at Butchers’ Hall in London this week.

Organised by the Q Guild of Butchers, the awards recognise and reward the UK’s finest craft butchery products. They have been running for 30 years and are widely recognised as the meat trade’s most high profile and challenging product evaluation.

Products are awarded a bronze, silver or gold award by a panel of independent industry judges, with all gold products in each category then pitched against each other to win the category champion Diamond Award.

The coveted Diamond Award was presented to Chase Farm Shop and Café by popular commentator and dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton.

Chase Farm’s Moroccan lamb sausages achieved 67 out of a possible 70 points and were described by the judges as having ‘a tasty, spicy flavour with excellent texture’.

The butcher also received a further four gold awards - the highest possible rating from the Guild - for its dry cure short back bacon, Packington free range traditional pork sausage, free range pork pie and Greek lamb kebab.

Peter Lamburn, general manager of Chase Farm Shop, said: “We sell a lot of sausage each week and it is exciting to have independent recognition for this National Q Guild Award.”

Gordon Wallace, Q Guild manager, added: “The standard of entries this year was incredibly high, which makes Chase Farm’s achievement all the more impressive. To be named best in class in our Innovative Sausage category and take home four additional gold awards is a fantastic result. Their success is a real testament to the quality and consistency of their products and reflects the innovation and excellence driving the craft butchery sector forward.”

Based on the outskirts of Sutton Coldfield, Chase Farm Shop and Café is a family-run business with deep roots in British farming and butchery, drawing on more than 165 years of heritage in the trade.

Known for its award-winning, handmade products including pies, sausages and cured bacon, it champions locally sourced, seasonal produce, working closely with regional suppliers to offer customers exceptional provenance and freshness, while its on-site café showcases the ingredients in freshly prepared dishes.