A CUMNOCK butcher has been hailed the maker of the best Traditional Steak Pie in Scotland.

Prime Cuts Butchers is celebrating after their tasty meaty pastry lifted coveted Diamond status in the Scottish Craft Butchers Awards.

Delighted owner John Kennedy, 49,said it was the belief that the family firm makes the best in the country that prompted him to enter the nationwide awards for the very first time.

“I knew we made something special,” he said, “but to lift the top accolade with our first ever entry is just fantastic - we’re over the moon!”

John, who heads a chain of four Prime Cuts Butchers shops in south Ayrshire, revealed the recipe for his award-winning pie is carried in his head since he was taught how to “create perfection” at the hands of his old mentor when he was just 18-years-old.

“Each of our other Prime Cuts shops in Ayr, Mauchline and Cumnock make their own pies to that same recipe,” said John, “but we obviously have that special magic touch here at Coylton.”

John comes from local farming stock and it was on the family farm that he learned the value of prime beef.

“There is nowhere to hide with a steak pie,” he said. “If you don’t use the very best of beef, you won’t get the best possible pie.

“We use 100 per cent cubed prime Aberdeen Angus Cross shoulder steak and delicious gravy topped with an uncooked puff pastry lid,” explained John. “Unlike many butchers, we sell our steak pies unfired as the first baking of the pastry is always the best.”

Prime Cuts make and sell upwards of 800 steak pies every week but that demand soars to around 6,000 in the run-up to New Year.

“It’s the feast everyone looks forward to at New Year - it’s part of our Scottish tradition,” said John. “Many believe it’s the ideal hangover cure while others claim it’s an easy bake for the busy housewives at a hectic time of year.

“Either way, it’s a key part of our business and to be able to say we make the best in Scotland is just terrific.”