Damn Delicious wins tasty national award for nurturing new talent

 

A Biggar butchers and farm shop has lifted a national industry award for their dedication to training apprentice craft butchers and helping to safeguard the future of the trade.

Damn Delicious has been named Training Partner of the Year 2025 in the prestigious annual Scottish Craft Butchers Training Awards.

“Training and development have always been at the heart of what we do,” he said, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see apprentices grow in confidence, skill, and passion for the trade.

“We believe in creating an environment where learning is encouraged every day, whether that’s on the shop floor or out on the farm. Our team is dedicated to giving apprentices the time, support, and guidance they need to succeed, and it’s been inspiring to watch them progress and take real pride in their work.

“It’s not easy to attract apprentices into the industry so we need to nurture anyone that sees butchery as a prospective career – young and old,” said Michael. “There is nothing like learning on the job and a lot of people who are not academics find their passion in butchery skills and they blossom.”

Michael said the whole team was overwhelmed with the national award and dedicated it to the hard work of everyone involved at Damn Delicious.

“This is for everyone, from our butchers and mentors to the wider farm team,” he said. “We’re proud to play a part in shaping the next generation of butchers and are grateful for the continued support of Craft Skills Scotland in helping us do so.”

 

Scottish Craft Skills assessor Sarah Frew, who nominated the Biggar business for the award, said the team At Damn Delicious were hugely supportive of bringing on  a steady stream of apprentices.

“Mentors and managers go out of their way to make sure time is set aside for their apprentice training and assessment, no matter how busy the shop and farm are, and they are always positive and encouraging about the progress being made,” she said.

“Damn Delicious are passionate about their craft, from their farm to their shop, and that passion is passed on to the next generation through their training.

“Apprentices are not only supported in the workplace but also inspired by the high standards and care that the team put into everything they do. Their family values shine through in everything they do, and this comes across in the way they treat their apprentices. They build strong relationships, offer guidance and reassurance at every step, and are always keen to see their apprentices develop and move forward with confidence.”

 

Gordon King, Executive Manager with Scottish Craft Butchers, explained that the annual awards, sponsored by Craft Skills Scotland, the Scotch Butchers Club, Incorporation of Fleshers Glasgow, Fleshers Trade Dundee and Lanarkshire Butchers Association, attract nominations from independent craft butchers throughout Scotland.

“I am delighted to see Damn Delicious win this award,” he said. ‘Throughout major developments within their premises, they were able to keep their apprentice training on track which was no easy feat.

“They always provide a welcoming and nurturing base for any new apprentice and it is testament to their work ethic that they recognise that young people are the future and work with Craft Skills Scotland to achieve their ambitions.”