Butcher John's London delight

Published 18 Jan 2012 08:00 1 Comment

2012 is promising to be an exciting year for young Cowdenbeath butcher John Day.

The 20 year-old is pictured displaying one of the certificates he received for being chosen as runner-up in the UK's Young Butcher of the Year competition.

John left school without any qualifications at all, but on being offered an apprenticeship by Tom Courts Quality Foods, at the Raith Centre, he took to the trade like a duck to water.

His rapid progress persuaded Tom Courts to enter him for the 2011 YBY award and John admitted to being surprised he made the last three earning a trip to London, his first visit to the 'Big Smoke'.

He said, "To be honest I knew the judges were coming to the shop to run their eyes over my work but I did not even think about it - let alone winning it.

"I suppose I thought that if I made the last three places it would be a big bonus, but the judges seemed to like what I did when they paid us a visit."

It all earned John a day out in London at the end of the year.

He added, "My boss Tom Courts flew me down and went along

to offer support and I had a great day.

"At the Landmark Hotel the young butcher award was combined with the shop of the year accolades for Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales and it was a little bit tense as the announcement of the winners was made.

"While I would have liked to have won, it was nice to be second and as the age limit for this category is 24 I can have another three shots at trying to win it."

John will be 21 in a few weeks time and he hopes to celebrate the milestone by completing his apprenticeship.

He went on, "The apprentice scheme sees regular assessments made and I hope that I will be able to qualify by the spring.

"I must say that the support I have received from our customers has been tremendous and I cannot thank them enough."

His boss, Tom Courts said,

"John has worked really hard

from the day he started his apprenticeship and he deserved to make the final.

"He had a good day out in London and I took him to the food hall at the Harrod's store as they have the same supplier as ourselves. It was interesting to compare the pricing!"

Tom presented John with a sporran flask with his name engraved on it and a special certificate.

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• 

  Joseph
  Unregistered User
  Jan 29, 12:47
  Report comment

  Well done John you are such a good butcher and a credit to Tom and the staff at Courts
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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