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An
'Asian Haggis', produced appropriately in the far east of Scotland by
Findlay's of Portobello has proven the hot favourite in the 'Haggis with
a Difference' evaluation, a new category in the Scottish Federation of
Meat Traders Association Scottish Haggis championships.Â
The evaluation, designed to highlight the inventiveness of Scottish
butchers sought to discover variations on our national dish.
While
some might immediately recall Rabbie Burns line that sheds doubt deviation
from tradition and 'look down wi' sneering, scornfu' view on sic a
dinner, Scottish Butchers were not reluctant to come up with other
glorious sichts that were warm, reekit rich.
Contenders
for the top prize included Jamaican Rum & Raisin Haggis, Drambuie
Haggis, Balti Haggis Rolls, Haggis with Mango & Ginger, Malt Whisky
Haggis Truffle and a Haggis with Chilli.Â
In total 76 different haggis products were considered in the Haggis
with a Difference evaluation sponsored by Grampian Oat Products for
Scottish Craft Butchers.
Joe
Findlay, a past winner of the Scottish Haggis Championship back in 1988,
is hoping that his latest success will take off in the same way as it did
19 years ago.
Joe
Findlay's success back then brought fame to
Edinburgh
's seaside resort. The
publicity that spun from the win drew tourists and haggis connoisseurs to
the south bank of the
Forth
where haggis was displacing donkeys as the number one attraction.
Alongside
Joe Findlay's boost in sales, neighbouring traders welcomed the
increased turnover that accompanied greater footfall.Â
Television coverage including BBC2's Rick Stein's Food
Heroes and Ainsley
Harriet's 50
Things to Eat before you Die turned Portobello's butcher into a
national personality.
His
latest creation, Asian Haggis was born out of an idea to supply a haggis
to an Indian customer's wedding. The
customer worked with Joe to incorporate genuine Asian spices in the place
of the more traditional mix of pepper, salt and nutmeg.Â
The result it seems is another Chieftain aboon them a'.
“Grampian Oat Products are delighted to
continue our sponsorship of the Scottish Haggis Competition.Â
The addition of the Haggis With a Difference evaluation this year
gives a great new twist to this well established event,” said Alan
Meikle, Managing Director Grampian Oat Products. |
