Latest news with #NigelOvens
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I'm the world champion Scotch pie AND haggis maker – there's a secret recipe that makes them the best
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A DOUBLE world champion butcher has revealed the secrets to the perfect pie and haggis. Third-generation owner of McCaskie's Butchers in Wemyss Bay, Nigel Ovens, bagged two World Championship titles for his Scotch pie and his haggis. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 McCaskie's Butchers in Wemyss Bay bagged two World Championship titles for their Scotch pies and haggis Credit: Perthshire Picture Agency 2 And owner Nigel Ovens revealed the secret to his success Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency. The pie pro, 48, beat the best in the world for the prestigious accolade, also scooping gold for his steak pies. He picked up the gong for his haggis at Sunday's Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth Branding his win "the culmination of a lifetime's work", he added: "I've spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others and I'm absolutely thrilled to be lifting the World Championship – it's a dream come true." And amid all the excitement, Nigel revealed the secrets to his success. Making the perfect haggis pie is not an easy skill to master. Since taking over the business 29 years ago, the meat merchant has been refining his recipe before striking the "perfect balance between offal and spice". Speaking to The Scottish Sun, he said: "The haggis and black pudding and dry-cured bacon are like my missions to get perfect. And it doesn't happen overnight. "I mean, years of trying, years of tweaking. You've got this rich, creamy texture. The oatmeal colour, it's not clawy or gooey. It's just the perfect balance we seem to have struck." He added: "Let's just say lamb fat probably helps sweeten the haggis and give it broader appeal." Just hours before his haggis triumph, Nigel's Scotch pie was crowned the best in the world at the 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards on Saturday at the Hilton, Glasgow. I tried the new 'Glasgow pie', it's like nothing I've ever tasted before For his award-winning Scotch pie, it's all about the top-notch ingredients. McCaskie's sources their meat from the best of the best. Nigel said: "You've got to put the top ingredients in. The lamb in the pie is from the Isle of Bute, Scalpsie Bay. It's organically reared. "And the beef - 100% Aberdeen Angus that we do exclusively at our shop. 100% Scotch, the best of ingredients. That's the key." But the finishing touch that ties it all together is a perfect golden ring encircling the top of the pie. Nigel added: "It's always fired the same. Always the gold ring around the top, perfectly fired and the meat and the seasoning have something special."
The National
12-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish 'butcher king' wins two world championships in two days
Nigel Ovens took his first title – of world champion Scotch pie – at the 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards at the Hilton in Glasgow on Saturday. The 25th anniversary of the grand prize event saw 50 expert judges assess more than 500 products from 88 different butchers, with prizes for everything from macaroni pies to bridies. READ MORE: I tried haggis from Aldi, Tesco, M&S and more — one of them reminded me of dog food Ovens, representing James Pirie and Sons, took home the top Scotch pie prize – as well as a gold award for their steak pie. And on Sunday, in Perth, Ovens then took home the world championship title for his haggis at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair. Ovens took home that award for McCaskie's Butchers in Wemyss Bay, beating 55 other producers. Nigel Ovens with his world champion haggis (Image: Supplied) McCaskie's Butchers completed the purchase of James Pirie and Sons butchers, in Newtyle in Angus, in April last year, our sister paper the Largs and Millport News reported. Responding to the haggis prize, Ovens said: 'This is the culmination of a lifetime's work to perfect our haggis recipe. 'I've spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others and I'm absolutely thrilled to be lifting the world championship – it's a dream come true.' Asked to reveal his recipe, Ovens remained understandably tight-lipped. READ MORE: Google AI claims haggis is a real animal in embarrassing blunder 'Let's just say lamb fat probably helps sweeten the haggis and give it broader appeal,' he said. 'But after a lifetime spent perfecting the recipe, I'll keep the rest a secret.' Lesley Cameron, the chief executive of Scottish Bakers, said: "This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards. 'It's a true testament to the passion, skill, and dedication of our butchers, bakers, and pie makers who continue to set the standard for quality and innovation in our industry. 'Our winners should be incredibly proud – to stand out in such a fiercely competitive field is an outstanding achievement.' Carol Smillie joins the winning butchers on stage at the Scotch pie awards (Image: Supplied) TV host Carol Smillie, who presented the awards, added: "I am always thrilled to be part of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of Scotland's butchers, bakers and pie makers. 'Every year, I am amazed by the passion and craftsmanship that goes into creating these delicious pies, and it's fantastic to see both familiar faces and exciting new talent taking part. The high standard of entries proves that the industry continues to thrive, with more professionals than ever showcasing their skills. 'Congratulations to all of this year's winners, your hard work and commitment to quality truly deserve to be recognised."
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's best Scotch pie & haggis revealed as butcher scoops world champion double crown
The butcher gives foodies a sneak peek at his secret haggis recipe A SCOT has been dubbed 'Butcher King of the World' after bagging two prestigious accolades in a global championship. Nigel Ovens, third-generation owner of McCaskie's Butchers at Wemyss Bay, scooped respective awards for his Scotch pies and haggis. 2 Award-winning butcher Nigel Ovens tosses his haggis in the air Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency The meat merchant picked up the trophy at Sunday's Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth. Commenting on the win, he said: 'This is the culmination of a lifetime's work to perfect our haggis recipe. 'I've spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others and I'm absolutely thrilled to be lifting the World Championship – it's a dream come true.' Nigel's haggis won the Scottish Championship ten years ago. And he is determined not to change the recipe as he battled the best in the country for the world title. However Nigel teased foodies with a sneak peek into his award-winning formula. He revealed: 'Let's just say lamb fat probably helps sweeten the haggis and give it broader appeal. "But after a lifetime spent perfecting the recipe, I'll keep the rest a secret.' Nigel hailed his 24-strong team at Wemyss Bay who work to ensure that his haggis is enjoyed by customers across the UK. The proud butcher added: "Haggis is no longer a Burns Night and burst product.' I tried top restaurant's new haggis sushi, it should be disgusting but it works 'It is a versatile foodstuff used to create a multitude of haggis products enjoyed throughout the year. 'It's one of Scotland's most iconic products and this World Haggis Championship title is the one that every butcher in the country aspires to. 'This means so much to me. It literally is a lifetime's achievement – I'm so honoured, so humbled and so thrilled.' Louise Harley from championship sponsor Grampian Oat Products added her congratulations to McCaskie's after playing her part on the judging panel. 2 Third-generation owner of McCaskie's Butchers Nigel Ovens is all smiles Credit: © Perthshire Picture Agency She said: 'It was an honour to be part of such a prestigious event as both a judge and a sponsor.' 'The standard was incredibly high and although scoring was tight, we congratulate Nigel Ovens and McCaskie's on an outstanding product. 'Oats are an integral part of the haggis recipe and Grampian Oat Products was delighted to sponsor the World Championships again this year.'
