A YOUNG North Ayrshire butcher staked his claim to be named one of the best in the business - and he returned home with a top prize.
David Bicket, from Kilwinning, recently won the apprentice category at the Battle of the Butchers, part of the Dalziel Ltd Centenary Show held at the Harrogate Yorkshire Showground.
The 20-year-old competed against 10 top apprentices from England in a series of timed butchery challenges, impressing judges with his "butchery skills, experience, innovation, product development and presentation".
This was David's first major competition.
He said: "As soon as I lifted my knife, I knew what I wanted to do and it was pretty much stick to the plan and get my display looking nice.
"The work by the other apprentice butchers was really impressive and I'm absolutely thrilled to have won the title against such talent."
He is a sixth-generation butcher from the family business Alex Bicket Ltd and has already been named in the squad to represent Great Britain at the 2028 World Butchers’ Challenge in Australia.
David Bicket Senior, his father, said: "It’s in his blood.
"He’s doing what comes naturally.
"We’re all so proud of his title-winning performance at the Battle of the Butchers.
"It was an emotional moment for us all when he was announced as winner."
Keith Fisher, head judge and CEO of the Institute of Meat, said: "It was a difficult task and a close-run outcome, but David just had the edge.
"He was very well organised, neat and tidy and displayed an impressive level of skill in all aspects of the challenge."
Gordon King, executive manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, described David as "a rising star" and said his success demonstrates "the industry in Scotland is producing some of the finest young butchers in the UK".
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