A small, family-run Wigtownshire butchers has pulled off a David and Goliath achievement to topple giants in the hunt for Scotland’s best traditional steak pie.
S. Cronnie Family Butchers in Newton Stewart has been crowned Scottish Traditional Steak Pie Champion in the Scottish Craft Butchers Awards 2025. And owner Steven Cronnie (52) revealed that the country’s best family favourite secured the national title on its first ever competition outing, beating off nearly 100 other entries from all across Scotland.
“This is the first time we’ve ever entered a competition,” he said. “To beat some of the best-known butchers in Scotland is a huge achievement.
“I’ve been making steak pies all my working life,” said Steven. “We always reckoned ours was good but to have it judged the best in Scotland is just phenomenal – we’re proud as Punch, it’s unbelievable.”
After 19 years in the butcher trade, Steven established his own business in 2020, running the Queen Street shop with his wife Shirley and teenage apprentice son Liam.
And while the shop has enjoyed a regular stream of sales for their tasty steak pies, Steven is braced for a rush of customers when word gets out about their national accolade.
“It’s terrific for the business and its terrific for Newton Stewart,” he said. “To be able to boast The Best Steak Pie in Scotland is quite something for a wee rural butcher.”
Steven lifted the South West regional championship this week before going on to secure the national title. And the Scottish champion is happy to share what makes his pie a winner.
“We take the finest beef, sourced locally, and cook it long and slowly,” he said. “We stew our steak in large pots and only make small batches. It takes 2-3 hours before we thicken up the gravy and fill our pie dishes before topping with puff pastry.
“Our beef is hung for up to three weeks and is beautifully tender.
“There’s no magic – no special secrets. Just quality beef, proper maturing and cooking and a wee bit of love stirred into every pie.”
Judges summed up the title-winning pie as “brilliant”.
“The pastry is even with an exceptional mix of crusty and soggy,” they noted. “The meat is tender and well-seasoned with a perfect balance of gravy, which held a robust consistency.
“This is a brilliant family Steak Pie.”
“I always thought we were too small to compete for a national title,” said Steven, “but this has given us the taste for competition, so the big boys better watch their backs.”
Gordon King, Executive Manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said Cronnie’s success showed the little guys can take on the major players – and win – within the industry.
“The steak pie has been a firm family favourite in Scotland for generations,” he said. “Particularly over the festive period.
“There are three basic ingredients – pastry, gravy and stew – and every butcher adds them together and puts in their own touch of magic to perfect the pie. Steven and his family have produced an outstanding example of a steak pie at its best that shows the little guys can topple giants with the perfect product.
“Steven was judged against some of the best in the business and came out tops – his traditional steak pie is an outstanding winner.”
Nicola McDowell, sales manager with award sponsors William Sword Ltd, congratulated Steven and his family on their impressive success.
You Might Also Like:
“At William Sword Ltd, we are proud to continue supporting the rich traditions of Scottish food culture, and there’s nothing more iconic than the steak pie,” she said. “Steven Cronnie shows how it should be done.
“Sponsoring the Traditional Steak Pie Awards allows us to celebrate the skill, quality and passion of butchers and bakers across the country who keep this timeless favourite at the heart of family tables.
“It’s an honour to recognise the craftsmanship that goes into every pie.”
