News

Butcher Alex has earned Turnbull’s Gold at the coveted Smithfield Awards,  presented to the best of the best in each of the eleven categories, at the award ceremony in London on Wednesday April 24.

More than 200 products were put forward by butchers from up and down the UK for evaluation in this year’s Smithfield Awards, organised by the prestigious Q Guild of Butchers.

Northumbrian Pork & Haggis Sausage, Maple Cured Smoked Bacon, Bistro Beef, Black Pudding, and Stilton Pie, and Venison Wellington have all been awarded gold by the judging panel. 

On the day of the awards in London, a cook-off will be held from a shortlist of Diamond Award winners and reviewed by an experienced team of judges, including renowned Irish butcher Pat Whelan. The victor will be named supreme champion and receive the Smithfield Platinum Award.

Butcher Alex Daley, said “It’s an honour to have been awarded gold for 4 of the products we make here at Turnbull’s. We are up there with the best of the best" 

The Smithfield Awards recognise and reward the best meat products from butchers across the UK, showcasing their craftmanship, innovation and skill. Categories include Artisan Home-cured Bacon, Best Black Pudding, BBQ Product, Best Butcher’s Steak, Traditional Pork Sausage and Best Traditional Pork Pie.

Matthew Slack, Sales & Marketing Manager at Turnbull’s added: “We're thrilled to announce that we've received four Gold awards from the esteemed Q Guild of Butchers. These awards not only serve as a prestigious industry endorsement but also highlight the skill and innovation of our team. Here's to the possibility of our products being crowned the best in the UK!"

Our products were judged at an extensive judging session at the City of Glasgow College last month, by respected industry professionals, journalists and foodies including Scotland’s National Chef and MasterChef winner Gary Maclean. Products were evaluated using a points system, with the best products awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold. Gold winners in each category will now be vying for the coveted Diamond Awards which will be announced at next month’s awards ceremony on 24^th April 2024 at Butcher’s Hall in London.

Gordon Wallace, Q Guild Manager said: “The Smithfield Awards serve as a platform to the highlight the pinnacle of craft butchery, elevating standards and inspiring product innovation. This year, over 200 products were submitted by Q Guild butchers from across the UK, marking it as the meat trade’s foremost and most rigorous product evaluation event. Achieving a Gold award is a significant accomplishment, and we extend our best wished to all entries as we approach our upcoming award ceremony.”

It’s a double celebration at Turnbull’s this week, as we celebrate an anniversary and launch our new range of ‘Heat and Eat’ meals.

Butcher Alan Hall celebrated his 61st birthday this week and it marked a remarkable career at Turnbull’s, that now spans over 45 years.

Alan started work at Turnbull’s in 1978 on his sixteenth birthday. More savoury, than sweet sixteen.

Could Alan be the longest serving employee in Alnwick? Or even Northumberland?

Either way, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s a milestone worth celebrating! 

In his spare time Alan is an avid Bird watcher and travels the length and breadth of Great Britain looking to catch a glimpse of rare birds.

He’s also a passionate Newcastle United fan, and he can’t wait for Champion’s League football later this year.

As Alan enters his 46th year at Turnbull’s, he’s also very excited about our tasty, new range of slow cooked ready meals – and just like Alan himself, the dishes have been allowed to mature and develop over time. 

Our new range of meals includes; Chicken Legs in Honey & Mustard Sauce, Duck Legs in Oriental Sauce, Belly Pork Slices in Chinese Five Spice Sauce and Chicken Legs in Barbecue Sauce.

We’ve simplified your dining experience to a single step: ‘heat and eat’ for your convenience.

We’re very excited about it!

So, this week, whether you’re looking forward to the warmth of Alan’s hospitality or indulging in the extraordinary flavours of our latest range of slow-cooked, ready-to-enjoy meals. we can’t wait to see you in-store!

We recently hosted a Butchery Demonstration for the Felton & Thirston Women's Institute at Felton Village Hall.

Sixth generation butcher, Dan Turnbull, worked with a local Lamb from South Bells Hill. Dan cut his way through some traditional preparation methods and some showed off some inventive new dishes.

Our heritage is build on being one of the Nort East's best independent butchers. It is so important that we are committed to sourcing high quality and high welfare livestock from across Northumberland.

We take great care in ensuring that our produce had a good and natural life, is healthy and comes local farmers which retains a low carbon footprint.

Our team also able to pass on with confidence where we source our meat and why its so important to shop and support local.

Baker Phil has created Britain’s most expensive pork pie, costing £100.00 each – and that’s just for a small one!

 The humble Pork Pie has been transformed here at Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food, to celebrate the return of the annual “Pork Pie Festival” which takes place from Monday 22^nd to Sunday 28^th August.

NOTE: The Pie has been sold and all proceeds will be going to the Alnwick Food Bank.

The recipe combines the traditional ingredients of hand raised, free-range pork and hot water pastry with the luxurious flavours of Black Summer Truffle, Beluga Caviar and is topped Edible 24 Carat-Gold and finished with even more grated truffle.

Phillip Dickinson, known by locals as ‘Baker Phil’ said: “We like to invent a new flavour of Pork Pie every year for the Pork Pie Festival. But this year we really wanted to push the boat out and create something extra special for the return of the festival after the 3-year hiatus”

“I spoke to Russ, a trusted truffle dealer, who was able to arrange some of the very best Italian Black Summer Truffles which are packed with tonnes of earthy flavour which will complement the sweet pork. I also managed to get my hands on some of the finest Beluga Caviar to put on the top of the pie, that will add a subtle salty and savour element and result in a rich and opulent Pork Pie fit for royalty”

The Pie is extremely limited edition and there only two in existence. The Pies are available to purchase from the Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall and the Northumbrian Pie Shop & Deli in Alnwick and remains under constant watch via CCTV.

Baker Phil was also responsible for creating a “Pork Pie Wedding” cake for Pork Pie crazed Bride & Groom who tied the knot with a giant three-tier Pork Pie at their wedding back in March this year, which caused a bit of a viral sensation online.

The Pork Pie Festival 

Here is what you can expect from the Turnbull’s Pork Pie Festival:

• Eight tasty varieties of homemade Pork Pie
• Britain's Most Expensive Pork Pie (made with Black Truffle, Caviar, and 24-carat edible gold)
• Pork Pie taste tests from very own ‘Pork Pie Expert
• FREE Pork Pie Tastings in-store

The Line Up

• Traditional Pork
• Pork & Caramelised Onion
• Pork & Chorizo
• Pork & Black Pudding
• Pork & Sweet Chilli
• Pork, Leek & Stilton
• Pork & Apple
• Pork & Cranberry

All the Pork Pies are handmade using the very best ingredients in Turnbull’s very own Bakery. To find out more about the Pork Pie Festival, visit either Turnbull’s stores in Alnwick this week.