Scotland’s National Black Pudding Championship title is staying in Wemyss Bay after Nigel Ovens, owner of McCaskie’s Butchers, retained the crown for 2024 with an unprecedented fourth championship win in the Scotland-wide competition.
The undisputed king of the black pudding said he was “absolutely delighted” to hang on to the title in one of the industry’s most fiercely contested competitions.
Nigel won with a new recipe created for McCaskie’ sub brand, Pirie’s.
“If the renowned McCaskie’s black pudding had to be pushed out of the running, I’m absolutely thrilled that it was by another of my recipes,” he said.
“We naturally didn’t want to change anything about the 2022 McCaskie’s champion, but our Pirie’s brand gave us the chance to experiment with a slightly sweeter version – and it has proved a winner on its first outing.
“We’re incredibly honoured to retain the title – it’s one that every butcher aspires to, and we don’t take this achievement lightly. It makes me immensely proud to say I have created two championship-winning black puddings – I’m absolutely elated.”
Nigel puts his success down to the finest Scottish oatmeal, Aberdeen Angus beef fat and the finest-quality spices from around the world. “The rest is top secret,” he added.
He has now won the Scottish Black Pudding Championship title in 2024, 2022, 2004 and 2003. Around 1,000 kgs are produced at Wemyss Bay every week to supply customers across the UK.
Nigel’s passion for black pudding saw him spearhead a campaign to stage a National Black Pudding Day to celebrate and acknowledge the Scottish staple – the first being held throughout the UK on March 18 this year.
McCaskie’s bought the James Pirie & Son brand a month ago, bringing the five times World Scotch Pie Champion into the Wemyss Bay stable, along with a host of other award-winning products.
Plans are in hand to develop the Pirie’s brand and Nigel said this national championship would prove the ideal boost.
“There’s little doubt that if you want the best black pudding in Scotland, then head to Wemyss Bay where you can have your choice of two Championship winners,” he said.
Gordon King, executive manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, agreed that Nigel had “a winning touch” when it comes to black pudding.
“The fact that he has once again come up with a championship-winning product proves that Wemyss Bay really is the home of the best black puddings in Scotland,” he said. “It’s a remarkable achievement to retain the title with a different recipe and we’re delighted for Nigel and his family as well as the entire staff at McCaskie’s.
“Black pudding is one of the iconic products for craft butchers and to be crowned overall winner in Scotland is seen as the ultimate accolade. It’s quite something to repeatedly lift that title as Nigel has done.”
