Young Scots star wins title in Battle of the Butchers

David Bicket (centre) delights in his success with (left) father David and (right) Grandpa Alex.

Talented young Kilwinning butcher David Bicket has secured a nationwide industry title for Scotland in this year’s “Battle of the Butchers”.

The 20-year-old took on some of the country’s leading aspiring butchers to lift the Dalziel Ltd Centenary Show’s apprentice category at Harrogate Yorkshire Showground.

As the only Scot, David went head-to-head with 10 top level apprentice butchers from England in a series of testing challenges against the clock. And judges praised his “butchery skills, experience, innovation, product development and presentation” as he lifted the coveted trophy.

A sixth-generation butcher from the well-known family butchers Alex Bicket Ltd., David is proving himself to be one of the country’s leading young talents. He was recently named in the squad to represent Great Britain at the World Butchers’ Challenge (WBC) in Australia in 2028.

The Battle of the Butchers 2026 was David’s first major competition, but he said instinct overcame fear as he faced the audience and judges, tasked with breaking down lamb, beef, pork and chicken to create a display of counter-ready products.

“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,” he said. “The work by the other apprentice butchers was really impressive and I’m absolutely thrilled to have won the title against such talent. It’s a real boost to my confidence and fabulous practice as I fight for a place in the final GB team selection for Australia in two years’ time.”

Bicket butchers have been trading in Kilwinning for nearly 200 years and David’s father – David senior – said his son is “a natural”.

“It’s in his blood,” he said. “The family have been farmers and butchers for six generations and David has been brought up learning the trade from both me and his Grandpa since he was a youngster. He’s doing what comes naturally.

“We’re all so proud of his title-winning performance at the Battle of the Butchers. The family was there to cheer him on and it was an emotional moment for us all when he was announced as winner. It’s a brilliant achievement and his trophy takes pride of place in the shop window.”

Battle of the Butchers head judge Keith Fisher said he was “extremely impressed” by the standard of young butchers vying for the apprentice category title.

“It was a difficult task and a close-run outcome,” he said, “but David just had the edge, working cleanly, quickly and effectively, showing an impressive level of skill, confidence and innovation.

“He was very well organised, neat and tidy and displayed an impressive level of skill in all aspects of the challenge.

“It was a joy to watch tomorrow’s butchers displaying such talent and David is undoubtedly one of its stars.”

Gordon King, Executive Manager of Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB), said David was “a rising star”.

“David has studied for his apprenticeship through our training partner, Craft Skills Scotland,” he said, “and has proved an impressive talent throughout.

“Butchery is a trade he has grown up in and he’s a natural. Now he’s proving himself on the competition stage and he is undoubtedly someone to watch in the future.

“Scottish Craft Butchers and Craft Skills Scotland want to congratulate David on a job well done, showing that the industry in Scotland is producing some of the finest young butchers in the UK and that the future of our profession is safe in their hands.”