A dish he once enjoyed in a restaurant was the inspiration behind a Dumfries butcher’s pie that has been named the best Speciality Meat Pie in Scotland.
The Chicken, Ham and Asparagus Tart lifted the title in the Scottish Craft Butchers Awards 2025 for Daniel West (33), owner of Mogerleys Butchers. And the delighted butcher revealed that the national competition was the first time he’d ever entered a pie product for judging.
“To win a national pie award with our first ever entry is absolutely fantastic,” he said. “We were looking for something a little bit different for the speciality pie competition and I settled on putting one of my favourite food combinations inside a pastry casing.
“I first tasted chicken, ham and asparagus in a restaurant and loved the flavour mix,” explained Daniel. “Who knew it would work so well in a pie!”
The pie features a puff pastry base with the meat, vegetable and sauce mixture on top and a pastry lid scattered with seasoned crumb.
Judges described the Dumfries winner as “a stunning pie”.
“It has a great balance of flavours and would taste just as good served cold,” they added.
“There’s no real secret,” said Daniel. “I’m passionate about food, passionate about flavours and passionate about cooking. So, the only extra ingredient is that perhaps a little bit of that passion shines through in the pie.
“The pie was taste tested by the staff and then some of our customers who all gave it the thumbs up before it was entered at national competition level. They’ll all be thrilled to know the judges from across Scotland loved it as much as they did.”
Daniel took over the Friars Vennel shop run by his Papa and then his Uncle Gordon three years ago.
“I just want to be like them,” he said, “and make them proud. They were both amazing butchers and winning this national title shows I’m doing something right.
Gordon King, Executive Manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said that Mogerleys had beaten off stiff competition from nearly 80 other butchers from across Scotland to secure the top Diamond Award.
“Daniel has taken every-day favourites and combined them in an innovative product that tasted phenomenal and obviously wowed the judges,” he said. “We challenged butchers to think outside the box for this speciality category and Daniel has produced a star by doing something simple absolutely brilliantly, taking it to the next level.
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“This is a product worthy of a Scottish title and well worth making the journey to Dumfries for.”
Danny Upson, Sales and Marketing Director with awards sponsors Dalziel Ltd., congratulated Daniel and his team on their success.
“A resounding round of applause for Mogerleys Butchers,” he said. “Their Chicken, Ham and Asparagus Tart has truly shone bright, claiming victory in this esteemed product competition. We’re thrilled to stand behind such exceptional talent that keeps pushing the boundaries of flavor and creativity.”
