Macbeth's Butchers in top ten of the best!

Scottish Traditional Online Butchers Macbeth's was listed among the top ten UK Butchers by the Times Newspaper. Based in Forres, Morayshire Macbeth's is a small family run business rearing their own grass-fed Scottish native breeds with a reputation for quality.  Described by the national newspaper as 'top-class farmers' Macbeth's was the only butcher selected from Scotland and manager Jock Gibson was delighted.  'There are some great names in this list and to be in the mix with them is just fantastic.'

Included in the Weekend Food Supplement, Hattie Ellis, food journalist and author said 'Top-class farmers Michael and Susan Gibson bought this family-run shop to sell beef from their own Highland, Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus native-breed herds, hung for three weeks to improve the taste and texture. There is rare-breed pork from free-range pigs, wild venison from the Highlands and other local meat including proper free-range chickens.'

Well established in the restaurant trade, Macbeth's is one of the few butchers who mature their beef on the bone for a minimum of 21 days.  'The result is a tender and well marbled meat from ethically reared cattle ' the ultimate in happy cows' Jock says.
  
As well as running the retail shop in Forres and supplying restaurants UK wide, Macbeth's offer a mail order service delivering fresh meat to private individuals across the UK.   Jock who returned in 2006 to run the business and promote their mail order service sees the development of this as key to their future.

Following on from this success Macbeth's also won four Great Taste Awards in the prestigious event. Six products were entered into the awards which are regarded as the industry Oscars. 

Winning 2 Gold Stars for a product is given for 'products setting new standards of excellence' and it was this that was awarded to Macbeth's Rib Eye Steak in the Fresh Beef category and their Pork Sausage in the sausage category.   In the bacon category their newest product, a dry cure bacon won 1 Gold Star along with their rump steak.  Jock Gibson, manager of Macbeth's said 'Everyone at Macbeth's was thrilled when we heard about this, especially with the 2 Gold Stars for the Rib Eye and our pork sausage.  We have worked extremely hard at improving the quality of our products and this is proof that our hard work is paying off.  It also builds really nicely on the awards that we won last year'

6000 products were blind tasted in the awards which are judged by 300 fine food retailers, chefs, restaurant critics, food writers and industry experts.    The awards which have been running for 17 years are considered the definite independent benchmark for speciality food.

If you would like any more details,  a blether with Jock, or a wee sample to taste Macbeths Beef then contact him on 0774 784 5942 or jock-macbeths.com

Why not visit the Chef's Corner of Macbeth's Website for a great recipe idea and a steak cooking guide:
http://www.macbeths.com/whisky-marinaded-rump.aspx
http://www.macbeths.com/steak-cooking-guide.aspx