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The future is bright – the future is game
There’s something rather special about game. It’s wild, flavourful, and brimming with health benefits. Game is lean, high in protein, and sustainably sourced from the British countryside. This year’s Eat Game Awards proved, once again, that game is and should be celebrated.
Held at the stunning Soane Hall in Marylebone, the event brought together passionate producers, chefs, butchers, and businesses. Together, they are helping to drive the resurgence of game on menus and dinner tables across the UK.
It wasn’t just about handing out awards – it was a celebration of craft, community, and countryside heritage. And, crucially, it was a night to showcase how delicious and nutritious game meat truly is.
There are two businesses we would like to tell you more about now, so please read on…
A well-earned win for Ragley Estate butchery
One of the standout honours went to Ragley Estate butchery, crowned Best Butcher of the year. This was a perfect nod to their excellence in sourcing and preparing wild venison from their own estate. With The Game Fair returning to Ragley Hall later this year, the timing couldn’t be more fitting.
The estate sits at the heart of Warwickshire and is more than just a stately home. It’s a working estate that places sustainability and traditional land management at its core. Wild deer are stalked on the estate by skilled deer managers and brought directly to the butchery. There the venison is carefully prepared for the shop.
“We’re absolutely over the moon,” said Karl Mould, head butcher at Ragley. “To get to the final three was an achievement, but to win is incredible. Demand for venison has tripled in recent years and that’s thanks to growing awareness and appreciation for game meat.”
Ragley Estate’s approach to venison is a model of best practice. The meat is local, ethically sourced and truly field to fork. As more people discover the taste and health benefits of wild meat, butchers like Ragley Hall are leading the way in making game more accessible.
The Inn Collection Group: celebrating game
Also taking home a well-deserved award was The Inn Collection Group. They wowed the judges with their prune and venison pie, earning them the title of Best Added Value Product. Described as “next level”, the pie perfectly demonstrates how game meat can be elevated into something comforting, creative and absolutely delicious.
The Inn Collection Group has award-winning pubs with rooms across some of the UK’s most scenic spots. Their inns can be found from Northumberland to the Lake District and down into Wales. Passionate about using local and seasonal ingredients, they’re helping introduce game to a wider audience through hearty and imaginative dishes.
“The sales of the pie across our sites have been phenomenal,” said Chris Moor, operations director. “It’s brilliant for us and brilliant for Northumberland, too. It means British wild game is being enjoyed far and wide. Demand is growing and we’re proud to keep game on the menu.”
This sort of creative cookery plays a vital role in helping people rediscover game. It’s no longer just something for special occasions or the shooting season – it’s everyday good eating, packed with flavour and goodness.
Game on – why it matters
Behind this celebration of game is a bigger picture. Eating game is good for you, too. It’s low in fat, high in iron and omega-3s. When sourced sustainably from the British countryside, it’s also good for the environment. It has a low carbon footprint and minimal miles, as well as helping manage land and wildlife in balance. And when it’s handled with care by experts like the Ragley Estate team or crafted into pies by chefs at The Inn Collection Group, it’s also incredibly tasty.
The Eat Game Awards scheme isn’t just about recognising excellence. It’s about raising awareness, sparking ideas and encouraging more people to give game a go.
So, whether you’re picking up wild venison from Ragley Estate Butchery, enjoying a stay and a pie at one of The Inn Collection Group’s lovely locations, or simply looking for something different and delicious cook at home, now’s the perfect time to put game on your plate.
To find out more about game meat and where to buy or enjoy it, visit Eat Game. And keep your eyes peeled for 2025 Eat Game Awards launching later this year. It’s your chance to show appreciation for your favourite game heroes.
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