Llantrisant-based The Gourmet Butcher, which has three shops across South Wales, in Llantrisant, Porth and also in Whitchurch, Cardiff, won a pair of national awards at the 2022 edition of the prestigious Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards at their ceremony last week.

Having expertly navigated the COVID restrictions by developing a hugely successful online shop and app, the family-owned business took over the poplar Martin Player Butchers in Whitchurch in 2021, and the rebranding and re-imagination of the premises was rewarded by winning ‘New Butchery Business of the Year’. The popular winners then capped a perfect day and topped that by winning ‘Welsh Butcher’s Shop of the Year’ in the regional awards that followed.

As well as running the three highly successful independent Butchers’ shops, the Gourmet Butcher also services many wholesale and trade customers, providing quality meat to restaurants, pubs and hotels across South Wales, as well as continuing to operate its thriving online shopping experience for customers.

Owner Gerwyn Harries, who attended the ceremony with his wife and business partner Angela, was overcome with delight at winning the awards.

I honestly still can’t believe it, I’m lost for words. To even be nominated alongside some top-class competitors was an honour, but to walk away with two prizes and to be named top butcher’s shop in all of Wales is just incredible.

I’d like to personally thank all my family for their support, our wonderful staff and the organisers and sponsors of these awards – to get national-level recognition for our hard work and the skill of the team is an amazing feeling and gives us real impetus for our future plans.

The awards were presented at the UK’s Food and Drink Expo, which took place at the NEC, Birmingham in April and were organised by William Reed Publishing.