County Tipperary butcher shop wins five Great Taste awards for its steak and burgers

Walsh’s Gourmet Butcher in Clonmel has won five awards for its steak and burgers at the prestigious 2024 Great Taste Awards. 

The family owned butcher shop based at the Showgrounds Shopping Centre has won two 2-star awards and three 1-star awards, solidifying its reputation for excellence in quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Head butcher and founder, Kevin Walsh, expressed his delight and gratitude for the recognition.

"This achievement is a testament to our commitment to quality, our dedication to sourcing the finest local produce and our passion for delivering exceptional innovative products. We are incredibly proud to have our efforts recognised on such a prominent stage."

The judges were impressed by Walsh’s Gourmet Butcher's meticulous attention to detail and their use of traditional techniques combined with modern innovation.

Walsh’s Gourmet Butcher received the following accolades at the Awards:

• 2-star award for Dry Aged Ribeye Steak: The judges praised this product for its “good beefy aroma, natural sweetness and succulence, an exceedingly good rib eye”.
• 2-star award for Smoky Pork & Apple Burger: Described as “a generous looking burger, well balanced, sweet pork flavour with just a hint of apple, wholesome & delicious". 
• 1-star award for Pork, Chorizo & Mozzarella Burger: Described as “delicious juicy burgers, tender on the palate”.
• 1-star award for Lamb, Feta & Spinach Burger: Commended for its “most enticing lamb aroma, a lovely herbiness, meaty and juicy”.
• 1-star award for Stout & Cheese beef Burger: Described as “authentic handmade burgers, good caramelisation and a juicy centre, a meaty burger with a difference.”

Since its opening in March 2018, Walsh’s Gourmet Butcher has remained dedicated to hand-picking the finest local suppliers and farmers, ensuring consistent quality and superior meat flavour.

The awards highlight the butchery's ongoing dedication to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer service.

The team at Walsh’s Gourmet Butcher continues to set the standard for excellence in the industry, providing customers with superior meat products and a memorable culinary experience.

Recognised as a stamp of excellence and actively sought out by food lovers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else.

A total of 13,672 products were put through the competition’s rigorous blind judging process; of which 3,938 products were awarded a Great Taste 1-star – ‘food and drink that delivers fantastic flavour’, 1,386 were awarded a Great Taste 2-star – ‘above and beyond delicious’, and 266 were awarded a Great Taste 3-star – ‘extraordinarily tasty food and drink’.

All products in the line-up for judging are blind-tasted: every product is removed from its packaging so it cannot be identified, before entering a robust, layered judging process.

"This recognition from the GTA Awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team." explained Kevin Walsh.