Chester butchers SJ Bebbington enjoys success in Chester Retail Awards and BPEX regional roadshow awards

Mar 18 2010 by Claire Devine, Chester Chronicle

Chester butchers SJ Bebbington enjoys success in Chester Retail Awards and BPEX regional roadshow awards

TASTY bangers were a smash at a butchers competition.

SJ Bebbington Butchers, in Chester market, won five golds and one silver award for its sausages and bacon at the BPEX regional roadshow in Bolton last week.

Butchers could enter products into 12 categories including sausages, bacon, pies, ready meals, faggots, black pudding and meatballs.

The products are evaluated by a team of industry experts and points are given for attributes including appearance, consistency, texture, taste and smell.

SJ Bebbington won gold awards for its traditional pork sausage, special pork and chilli matador, back bacon – smoked and plain, and silver for its pork and leek sausage.

Joe Farmer, 20, of Chester, won a Young Sausage-maker gold award for his sage, red onion and smoked bacon sausages.

Manager Stuart Bebbington, 39, said: “We have attended the awards for the last three years but this has been our best year.

“About 130 butchers took part and 250 products entered.

“We received these awards last Wednesday and on Thursday we received a certificate from the Chester Retail Awards for 100% excellence in retail.”

The retail awards, by Visit Chester and Cheshire and Chester Renaissance, were judged by mystery shoppers in the run up to Christmas.

Businesses noted for having gone the extra mile were rewarded.

Mr Bebbington, of Tarvin, said: “It’s been a great week and I am delighted for Joe.

“He started as a Saturday boy and has come through the ranks.

“It is a good result and great for motivation.

“The past 12 months have been hard so the awards have given us a boost and will hopefully get us back on track.”