By Pam McClounie

Published at 11:31, Monday, 07 January 2013

CUMBRIAN butcher Cranstons has won six product awards at an event in London.

Cut above: Roger and Philip Cranston inspecting the Cranston's Cumbrian Foodhall in Penrith

The firm, which has branches in Carlisle, Brampton, Penrith and Hexham, attended the 2012 Q Guild Smithfield Awards, which aim to identify the best products made using traditional butchery methods.

The six products that won awards were: Pork Link Breakfast Sausage, Italian Beef Meatballs, and Beefburger (Gold); Traditional Cumberland Sausage and Small Pork Pie (Silver), and Large Chicken and Ham Pie (Bronze).

Operations director Roger Cranston and product development technologist Ashlea Pearson attended the awards ceremony in November.

Broadcaster and food critic Jay Rayner presented the awards.

The awards are among the most highly coveted in the meat industry.

More than 400 products from Q Guild members across the UK were assessed in the product evaluation by an independent panel of judges, made up of both industry experts and lay judges. Products were put through a rigorous judging procedure, assessing them on taste, appearance, and a range of other attributes.

After the event, Mr Cranston said: “The Q Guild awards are highly-regarded within the industry as a mark of excellence.

“We are thrilled to have picked up six this year, as we pride ourselves on our traditional butchery skills and the quality of our products.”

PMcClounie@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk