Success Rings Out for Bel’s in Black Pudding Contest

It’s now official – the best black pudding in the East of Scotland is produced by Bel’s Butchers of Edzell and Montrose.

The family favourite butchers lifted the regional championship in the Scottish Craft Butchers’ Black Pudding Championship.

And demand for the region-beating breakfast staple is already growing as word spreads of Bel’s success.

Owner Bel Forbes started the business in 2007, and butchery manager John Milne said this latest accolade for the firm is one of their sweetest.

“We’ve won national awards for our products in the past but gaining regional recognition for our black pudding for the first time is a real achievement for the whole team,” he said.

“Our four full-time butchers all make the product to our own recipe and it’s always popular with our customers. To have it recognised and rewarded by industry peers is terrific.”

John added: “There’s no great secret to our black pudding recipe.

“We use pork fat to make it moist, some onion to sweeten it and subtle spices and seasoning to provide a pleasant peppery taste.

“We always thought it was a great product and it’s rewarding to think the judges did too.”

Bel’s East of Scotland title winner will now go on to compete in the UK Black Pudding Champion of Champions contest, hosted by Scottish Craft Butchers in Perth next spring.

John is relishing taking on the best in the UK.

“Bring it on,” he said. “Our black pudding rates among the best, so we’re ready to face whatever competition the rest of the UK brings to the table.”

Gordon King, executive manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, said:

“Black pudding is now widely regarded as a ‘superfood’ and it has moved from its traditional place on the Scottish breakfast table to be embraced in dishes by some of the world’s leading chefs and nutritionists.

“Bel and her team have been judged the ‘Best in the East’ with an outstanding product.

“It’s their year to shine and we look forward to seeing how they fare in the UK-wide championship.”

Simon Hannon, commercial director with award sponsors Dalziel, said:

“At the heart of every great black pudding is exceptional craftsmanship.

Huge congratulations to Bel Forbes and her team for displaying that at the very highest level.”

This article appeared in the Courier on 30 September 2026