With nominations for the Eat Game Awards closing at midnight on Sunday, last year’s winners are urging producers, retailers and champions of British game to seize the moment.
One of those voices is the team behind Ragley Estate Butchers, winners of the Best Butcher category at the 2025 awards, and their story shows exactly why taking part matters. It’s not just about recognition, but also about celebrating and strengthening the industry’s future.
Ragley Estate Butchers sits within the historic Ragley Estate in Warwickshire, home to a mixed-use farm, extensive woodland and a thriving events and hospitality business. Working closely with the estate’s farm, woodland and shoot managers, the butchery team handle venison, pheasant and partridge sourced directly from the land around them.
A recent investment in an on-site deer larder completed the estate’s field-to-fork chain, allowing carcasses to be processed with full traceability before reaching the counter. Nothing goes to waste, every cut is crafted with care, and their venison range has become a favourite with local customers who value quality and provenance.
Why they entered
“The installation of the deer larder was the final step in the chain,” the team explained. “The Eat Game Awards were an opportunity to celebrate this success, recognise our team, and champion the fantastic benefits of venison that we believe in so passionately.”
They added: “Winning was fantastic recognition that what we are doing is valued, and that the way we are doing it is considered ‘best in class’. It was also a great opportunity to thank and showcase our butchers and estate teams, who take so much pride in what they do.”
The impact: more customers, more confidence and more conversation
Since winning in March, Ragley Estate Butchers have seen a clear shift in both customer engagement and business growth.
Their certificate and photograph with Adam Henson now spark regular conversations at the counter, helping customers feel more confident about choosing venison and understanding how to cook it. Sales have risen, enquiries have increased and repeat customers are even travelling from further afield.
Behind the scenes, the boost has been just as powerful:
“The butchers have taken a lot of confidence from the awards and have started to make even more use of the venison – developing new products, supplying local restaurants and responding to customer requests.”
Why you should enter
Asked what they would say to anyone hesitating over a last-minute nomination, Ragley Estate Butchers didn’t hesitate: “It’s a great opportunity to really think about what you are doing to celebrate game meat, the reasons why you do it and the way you go about it. Entering made us spell out what we do and energised our enthusiasm for all things game, and the event is a brilliant way of saying thanks by including all the team.”
Your final reminder
If you’re proud of the way you produce, sell, cook or champion game, now is the time to put your work forward.
Nominations for the 2026 Eat Game Awards close at midnight on Sunday.
