Steven Cusack, Quality Meat Scotland chairman Alan Clarke, Barry Green and Hamish Jones.
Three butchers from the north and north-east have been crowned cream of the crop in the inaugural Scottish Butchers Wars.
The contest, run by Scottish Craft Butchers and sponsored by Scotch Lamb PGI via Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), included a 45-minute challenge to break down a half saddle of pork and a half lamb.
Judging criteria included the butchers’ appearance, final appearance of their display, creativity, technique and speed, wastage as well as food safety and health and safety.
The top title in the singles contest was awarded to Barry Green from Cairngorm Butchers in Grantown, while Steven Cusack and Hamish Jones from the Inverurie and Elgin shops of Davidsons Specialist Butcher won the pairs title.
Chief judge Keith Fisher said: “I judge competitions all over the world and it is always a pleasure to see the highly skilled butchers of Scotland in action.
“The Butchers Wars have brought out the best in an impressive and exciting display to thrill both judges and audience and I am in no doubt that the future of Scotland’s local butchers is in safe hands after seeing them in action.”
