WEMYSS Bay butcher Nigel Ovens has been crowned World Haggis Champion.
The third-generation owner of McCaskie’s Butchers at Wemyss Bay was overwhelmed when he secured the global title at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth on Sunday.
“This is the culmination of a lifetime’s work to perfect our haggis recipe,” said Nigel. “I’ve spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others and I’m absolutely thrilled to be lifting the World Championship — it’s a dream come true.”
Nigel’s haggis won the Scottish Championship 10 years ago and he determined not to change the recipe as he faced the best in the country for the world title.
And the west coast winner, which fought off stiff opposition from 55 other producers, earned glowing praise from the judges with head judge Jon Wilkin saying it “couldn’t be bettered”.
Jon, Reader in Food Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Abertay University, said McCaskie’s haggis was the very best the world could showcase and a worthy winner of the championship.
“It’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t imagine there’s a better haggis anywhere,” he said. “The judges had a tough time because the standard this year was extraordinary, but Nigel’s haggis had something special.
“It was meaty, with a coarse but moist texture, just the right amount of offal to flavour but not overwhelm, a really good salt level and a wonderful spicy peppery element that kicks in at the end — a real champion.”
Nigel, however, refuses to part with the secrets of the recipe that makes his haggis a world-beater. “Let’s just say lamb fat probably helps sweeten the haggis and give it broader appeal,” he said, “but after a lifetime spent perfecting the recipe, I’ll keep the rest a secret.”
Nigel said the world title was a reward for his 24-strong team at Wemyss Bay who work to ensure that his haggis is enjoyed by customers across the UK.
“Haggis is no longer a Burns Night and burst product,” he said. “It is a versatile foodstuff used to create a multitude of haggis products enjoyed throughout the year.
“It’s one of Scotland’s most iconic products and this World Haggis Championship title is the one that every butcher in the country aspires to.
“This means so much to me. It literally is a lifetime’s achievement — I’m so honoured, so humbled and so thrilled.”
Louise Harley from championship sponsor Grampian Oat Products added her congratulations to McCaskie’s after playing her part on the judging panel.
“It was an honour to be part of such a prestigious event as both a judge and a sponsor,” she said. “The standard was incredibly high and, although scoring was tight, we congratulate Nigel Ovens and McCaskie’s on an outstanding product.
“Oats are an integral part of the haggis recipe and Grampian Oat Products was delighted to sponsor the World Championships again this year.”
Nigel is only the second butcher ever to win the World Haggis Championship — a competition staged for the first time by Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) in 2023 and held every two years.
SCB President, Laura Black of Coopers of Bellshill and previous holder of the title, said she was delighted to see the extremely high standard of entry for such an iconic dish and congratulated Nigel for reaching his lifetime goal.
“McCaskie’s are well known for their multi-award-winning products and for Nigel to add this World Haggis Championship to his plaudits is just wonderful,” said Laura. “There are few butchers who wouldn’t want to add that accolade to their honours and we’re thrilled for him.”
