A family-owned butcher’s shop has earned three national awards for its products, including a gold medal for “best innovative bacon”.

Herne Bay’s Taylor Meats received high praise from judges for its lamb merguez and pure beef boerewors, but its crowning achievement was for black garlic, dry-cured streaky bacon.

Awarding 96 of a possible 100 points, judges at the 2025 National Craft Butchers Product Awards remarked on the cured pork: “An excellent tasting bacon with well-balanced flavours, very tender and succulent.”

Taylor Meats at Mortimer Street has served Herne Bay for 14 years, with husband and wife Scott and Mandy at the helm, while son Tom is now approaching the end of his butchery apprenticeship.

The company has a second location at Harbour Street, Ramsgate, and employs 12 staff across its branches.

Scott Taylor has been a butcher since 1987 and has worked in all areas of the meat trade from market butchers to high-end providers.

Asked for his reaction to the win, the 54-year-old said he could not be more proud.

“I’ve only been entering competitions for two years and have been up against butchers with years of competition experience,” said Scott.

“So to actually be a category champion, beating the likes of Aubrey Allen - my mind is blown.”

The butcher shop received gold awards for its black garlic bacon and boerewors, while its lamb merguez picked up a silver medal.

Commenting on the awards, head judge Keith Fisher said: “I’ve judged in many competitions around the world over the course of my extensive career, but I never fail to be surprised and delighted at the quality and innovation demonstrated by our butchers right here in the UK.

“Their products just keep getting better and better.”

Aubrey Allen is an award-winning butcher’s shop, known for high-end, carefully sourced meat, game and deli products.