A Welshpool butchers walked away with a prestigious award after one of its products was named the best in the UK at a national awards event.

Rikki Lloyds Family Butchers received several nominations at the 2023 Golden Cleaver Awards, walking away with the award for Best Hot Eating Pie, which it won for its steak and stilton pie.

The awards ceremony was held in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Sunday, March 5, with the team from the Welshpool butchers travelling up to accept the award in person.

Presenting the award was Chef Gary Maclean, winner of 2016’s edition of BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals.

Regarding the ceremony and win, owner Rikki Lloyd said: “It was good fun to attend in person, but to walk away with an award for all the hard work we have put in makes us really proud.”

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The business submitted a number of its products to Harper Adams University for the preliminary rounds, where they were reviewed by a panel of judges who selected the finalists for the Golden Cleaver nominations.

Mr Lloyd added: “It goes to show that butchers remain very important to their communities, because that’s certainly how we feel here.

"Thanks to all my customers who support me,  I really appreciate it.”

As well as winning an award for the steak and stilton Pie, Rikki Lloyd also received nominations in other product categories, including for its sausages and burgers.

Ceremony co-host Danny Upson said: “The Golden Cleaver awards were created purely to celebrate the craftsmanship, the quality and innovation of retail butchers.

“As butchers, fresh meat is still at the heart of every one of our businesses, and we have so much heritage and we value that heritage.

“We had over 400 product entries across the UK, which is incredible. The most important thing to me is the opportunity to help the judges bring in all these different and varied businesses and the quality was absolutely outstanding, you look at all these products and feel confident that we have a proud future ahead of us.”

Mr McClean added: “It’s been a fantastic day, the talent on display here is really inspiring and gives you a lot of food for thought. So, well done to each and every team here tonight.”