Emma Mykytyn A Cut Above the Rest: Britain’s Best Butchers Crowned at the 2026 Smithfield Awards
Britain’s best butchers have been revealed at the prestigious 2026 Smithfield Awards, shining a spotlight on the very finest in UK craft butchery.
Top honours went to Lidgates Butchers in Holland Park, who took home the coveted Smithfield Platinum Award for their outstanding Roast 45-Day Aged Beef – officially crowned the best of the best.
From Aberdeen to London, this year’s winners showcase exceptional skill, quality ingredients and innovation, battling it out in one of the meat industry’s most rigorous competitions.
A special shoutout goes to Charlie Barlow of Barlows Butchers, who was named Q Guild Young Butcher of the Year – a nod to the rising talent shaping the future of British butchery.
Now in its fourth decade, the Smithfield Awards continue to set the gold standard for excellence across the trade.
Overall Winner – Smithfield Platinum Award
- Roast 45-Day Aged Beef – Lidgate’s, Holland Park, London
Diamond Award Winners
Traditional Pork Sausage
- Farmhouse Pork Sausage – John Davidsons Butchers, Inverurie
Innovative Sausage
- Moroccan Lamb Sausage – Chase Farm Shop and Cafe, Sutton Coldfield
Kitchen Ready
- Butter Chicken – Aubrey Allen, Leamington Spa
Burger
- Signature Steak Burger – Coates Butchers, Coxhoe, Durham
Hot Eating Pie
- Mince & Onion Pie – The Blagdon Farm Shop, Blagdon, Newcastle upon Tyne
Cold Eating Pie
- Pork & Apple Pie – Cranstons Butcher + Maker, Penrith
Cooked Meats
- Roast 45-Day Aged Beef – Lidgate’s, Holland Park, London
BBQ Product
- Chicken Thigh Kebab – Trussells Butchers, Knebworth
Speciality Game Meat Product
- Game & Red Wine Pie – Lishmans Of Ilkley, Ilkley
Best Butchers Steak
- Ribeye Steak – Owen Taylor & Sons Ltd Butchers, Derbyshire
Home Cured Bacon
- Home Cured Bacon – Lishman’s of Ilkley, Ilkley, Yorkshire
Best Butchers Display
- Aubrey Allen, Leamington Spa
Q Guild Young Butcher of the Year
- Charlie Barlow – Barlows, Nottingham
Sponsors ScobiesDirect, Dalziel Ltd, The Dalesman Group, Eat Game, Verstegen Spices and Sauces UK, Kelsius, The Institute of Meat and South Coast Systems.
