Ragley Butchers - winners of Best Game Butcher 2025
Ragley Estate Butchers have been awarded Best Game Butchers at the national Eat Game Awards. The event, sponsored by BASC (British Association for Shooting & Conservation) and hosted by Adam Henson was the culmination of several rounds of public voting and expert judging to celebrate and champion businesses working to bring game products to our tables. The awards also recognise the achievements of the best chef, small and multiple retailer, educator and influencer, product, and restaurant.
Following nominations, Ragley Estate Butchers were shortlisted to a final group of 10 butchers from all over the UK, which was reduced to 3 finalists after a public vote. Judges then came to evaluate each of the finalists against set criteria. As the only retail-only finalist, the judges commented that “What these butchers do to promote and use game is incredible – they are doing a fantastic job for the game sector. All staff are very passionate about what they are doing”.
Karl Mould, Head Butcher at Ragley is delighted with the result. “It’s a fantastic recognition for all the work we put in throughout the year to provide such a healthy and lovely product to our customers. Getting an award like this just tops it off! Our customers have been very supportive, and we are pleased at how much this means to them too.”
What does this mean for Ragley? “We’ll keep offering high quality, seasonal and local produce to customers, hopefully in greater volumes and with more choice.” says Karl. “We’re always coming up with new products – particularly using venison as it’s so versatile – and responding to requests from customers. Hopefully this award will encourage more people to come and try game meat.”
Game meat offers a range of health benefits over many mainstream meats – often lower in fat, cholesterol and calories, and full of additional omega-3 fatty acids, protein, iron, zinc and selenium. If you want to explore the health benefits of partridge, pheasant and venison which are all available from our butcher, the Eat Game website has more details.
It is also a very sustainable source of meat. Our venison is all wild and free-roaming across the Ragley Estate, with a careful management plan in place to ensure the survival – and natural breeding – of the fittest. Deer are immediately processed in our refrigerated deer larder before making the short journey to our butchers where they are prepared into a wide range of joints, steaks, mince and sausages. Everything is sold seasonally and locally through our retail butcher’s counter at Hillers Farm Shop.
Pheasant and partridge is another part of our game offering – and our butchers are on-hand to help customers explore ways in which to enjoy these extremely tasty meats. During the season, we are well-stocked with whole dressed birds, breast portions and mince which can be used in many easy recipes.
Our team at Ragley are specialists in game butchery – and can guide you through the different cuts available. Please ask for advice on what to choose and ideas for how to use these wonderful, local products, straight from the Estate.
For information, ideas and recipes go to the Eat Game website. Eat Game is supported by The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, and you can find more about what they do on their website.
