Wemyss Bay Butcher Bags World Haggis Crown
Wemyss Bay Butcher Crowned World Haggis Champion in ‘Lifetime’s Achievement’
In a fiercely contested battle of Scotland’s national dish, Nigel Ovens, a third-generation butcher from McCaskie’s Butchers in Wemyss Bay, has been crowned the new World Haggis Champion. His winning haggis, described as the culmination of a “lifetime’s” dedication to the craft, took the top spot at the prestigious Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair held in Perth on Sunday.
The victory marked an extraordinary double for Mr Ovens, who also secured the title of World Scotch Pie Champion at the Scotch Pie Awards with a recipe originating from James Pirrie & Son of Dundee.
Judges were unanimous in their praise for Mr Ovens’ haggis, highlighting its “meaty, with a coarse but moist texture.” The “spicy peppery element” that developed at the finish was particularly lauded, with head judge Jon Wilkin declaring it simply “couldn’t be bettered.”
An emotional Mr Ovens admitted to being overwhelmed by the win. “I’ve spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others and I’m absolutely thrilled to be lifting the World Championship – it’s a dream come true.”
Mr Ovens’ winning haggis had previously claimed the Scottish Championship title a decade ago. This time, he triumphed over stiff competition from 55 other producers to claim the coveted global crown.
While Mr Ovens remained tight-lipped about the intricate details of his winning recipe, he did offer a tantalising hint. “Let’s just say lamb fat probably helps sweeten the haggis and give it broader appeal,” he conceded, adding, “but after a lifetime spent perfecting the recipe, I’ll keep the rest a secret.”
He credited his 24-strong team at McCaskie’s in Wemyss Bay for their dedication in ensuring his haggis is enjoyed by customers across the United Kingdom. Mr Ovens also noted the evolving popularity of haggis beyond its traditional Burns Night association. “Haggis is no longer a Burns Night and burst product,” he stated. “It is a versatile foodstuff used to create a multitude of haggis products enjoyed throughout the year.”
“It’s one of Scotland’s most iconic products and this World Haggis Championship title is the one that every butcher in the country aspires to,” Mr Ovens added. “This means so much to me. It literally is a lifetime’s achievement – I’m so honoured, so humbled and so thrilled.”
Head judge Mr Wilkin, a Reader in Food Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Abertay University, affirmed the exceptional quality of McCaskie’s winning entry. “It’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t imagine there’s a better haggis anywhere,” he said. “The judges had a tough time because the standard this year was extraordinary, but Nigel’s haggis had something special. It was meaty, with a coarse but moist texture, just the right amount of offal to flavour but not overwhelm, a really good salt level and a wonderful spicy peppery element that kicks in at the end – a real champion.”
Louise Harley from championship sponsor Grampian Oat Products extended her congratulations to McCaskie’s, having served on the judging panel. “It was an honour to be part of such a prestigious event as both a judge and a sponsor,” she said. “The standard was incredibly high and, although scoring was tight, we congratulate Nigel Ovens and McCaskie’s on an outstanding product. Oats are an integral part of the haggis recipe and Grampian Oat Products was delighted to sponsor the World Championships again this year.”
Original source: Yahoo News
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