Fife butchers scoop awards

Balgove Larder secured both the Scottish Craft Butchers Mentor of the Year and Training Partner of the Year accolades, while newly qualified butcher Michael Carrubba of Minicks of St Andrews won the coveted SVQ Level 3 Apprentice of the Year title.

Michael (29) completed his butcher apprenticeship and his Federation Diploma at Minicks of St Andrews in under two years. And he’s “dazed and delighted” to have won this latest reward for his outstanding work ethics and achievements.

Michael said: “I couldn’t believe it when they said my name. It took a couple of minutes to sink in and then I hit the roof. I was delighted – it’s a real thrill and an honour and a great reward for a lot of hard work.

“I just want to be the best I can be in this industry and I wanted to get through my apprenticeship as quickly as possible. I just got my head down and got on with it as there wasn’t much else to do in my spare time during this pandemic.”

Michael’s hard work and determination was previously rewarded by the company - which operates 10 butchers shops throughout Fife and Perthshire – when he was promoted to manager of the busy Bell Street shop in St Andrews just before the outbreak of Coronavirus.

At Balgove Larder, staff were celebrating bringing another two meat industry awards to St Andrews.

Butchery manager James Lothian secured the Training Mentor of the Year title for 2020 while Balgove Larder lifted the award for Training Partner of the Year.

“This is something really special,” said James. “It is a driving passion of mine to ensure we get quality, properly trained butchers out there and, although it’s hard work, it’s extremely rewarding. These awards are very humbling.”