Airdrie butcher has best Scotch pies in Britain

Jun 3 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

AN Airdrie butcher’s Scotch pies have been recognised as the very best in Britain at a prestigious industry award ceremony.

Fergusons of Airdrie claimed the sought-after gold medal at the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray.

To win the coveted ward the Airdrie firm had to beat off hundreds of rivals to win the “savoury hot” category.

Their pies were the only traditional Scottish product to win a first prize at the British Pie Awards.

And the Airdrie firm have now achieved national fame after a GMTV film crew visited the popular town centre shop on Buchanan Street to see for themselves the home of the winning pies.

Fergusons owner Graeme Johnston said: “To go to the British awards in the capital of rural Britain and come away with the top prize is a real honour for everyone at the company.

“We’re absolutely delighted at the outcome.

“The judges said that our Scotch pies had a great taste, great seasoning, lovely pastry and were very well made.

“We make a point of buying all our beef locally to ensure the quality of the product.

WWe have always worked with small firms and it means our products don’t have a lot of fat, which is important in this day and age.

“Some of the chaps in our bakery have been with us for 21 years.

“They do the cooking, seasoning, make the pie filling and bake it.

“The pies are often still hot when they come through for customers to buy, and they’re the original fast food – nutritious, easy to pick up and eat, and great value.

“Since we won the award there’s been a real feelgood factor in the shop.

“It was also a great experience to have the television cameras here, which the customers also really enjoyed!

“The national award has had a great impact n everyone at the firm and all of the 30 staff are really happy that we’ve had such a good reception and that the quality of our products has been recognised in such a way.

“This award is a great boost for the business and we can proudly state we now sell the best Scotch pies in the country.”

Fergusons received their sought-after British award just weeks after picking up seven prizes at the Scottish meat trade fair.

They won gold awards for their bacon steaks, ox tongue, Ayrshire middle and pickled Silverside, and silver awards for their smoked back, streaky back and cured streaky bacon.