Butchers throughout Scotland are ramping up production of the nation’s new superfood as the country prepares to celebrate the first-ever National Black Pudding Day next week.
Monday, March 18, has been earmarked by Scottish Craft Butchers to acknowledge the traditional blood sausage, enjoyed from breakfast tables to gourmet restaurants everywhere.
The decision to celebrate black pudding with its own national day follows a call for the foodstuff to be awarded similar acclaim as its famous Scottish cousin – the haggis.
Leading the call is Scotland’s current Black Pudding Champion, Inverclyde butcher Nigel Ovens of McCaskie’s Butchers and Café in Wemyss Bay.
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“Black pudding is one of the most important butchers’ traditional staples in Scotland and people should be proud of this heritage food and celebrate it in style,” he said. “As with haggis, every butcher has their own recipe for black pudding, and every country has its own specific version.
“Black pudding is now enjoying superfood status and we should be shouting about it from the rooftops,” he added. “A national day of recognition will bring butchers and the public together in a celebration of this food hero.”
The Scottish Black Pudding Champion’s call for a national day to recognise the blood sausage has gathered support across Great Britain, with National Craft Butchers adding their weight to next week’s event, involving hundreds of butchers in England and Wales.
And, as the country joins the rest of the UK in marking the first-ever celebration of black pudding, Scotland’s butchers begin the battle to be crowned the country’s Black Pudding Champion 2024.
Scottish Craft Butchers President George Jarron explained that the coveted title would be fiercely contested by some of Scotland’s finest butchers on May 2.
“Scottish butchers are at the forefront of making the very best black pudding in the world, using the highest quality ingredients and traditional skills,” he said. “They have an incredible passion for crafting the very best and the Scottish Black Pudding Championship is an accolade we all aspire to.
“It will be wonderful to see everyone celebrate National Black Pudding Day next Monday and then knuckle down to perfecting their recipes for the championship judging in May.”
Next month’s championship will be sponsored by Scobies Direct and will identify five Scottish regional champions from which a national champion will be chosen.
Scobies Direct Commercial Manager Drew Goldie said they were delighted to play their part in finding Scotland’s next black pudding champion.
“In the heart of Scotland’s rich traditions and culinary treasures, Scobies Direct are proud to champion the Craft Butchers who skillfully produce the nation’s finest black pudding,” he said.
