A cut above the rest: We reveal Redlands’ best butchers as voted by you

With choice cuts front of mind for Christmas our timely poll has identified the butchers Redlands votes the best.

Our readers have voted and the Redlands’ butchers considered tops for chops and choice cuts are in.

Out of eight establishments nominated by readers passionate about their meat two local stars have come to the fore to nab an equal first.

Bay Gourmet Meats owner Danny Preston knows a thing or two about quality. Picture: Bay Gourmet Meats

BAY GOURMET MEATS, BIRKDALE FAIR SHOPPING CENTRE

Quality and service. The simple answer came without hesitation when BGM owner Danny Preston was asked what sets his shop apart.

Of James Street Market fame – he managed the up-market venue for eight years – Mr Preston knows a thing or two about quality and his shop has become a beacon for it in the Redlands.

Readers cheered BGM’s high watermark approach which celebrates not only the classics but offers tantalising novelties like duck and aged rib fillet.

Never mind the raw organic honey with macadamia or savoury cherry jam …

Dry aged rib fillet is just one of the carefully curated offerings at Bay Gourmet Meats at Birkdale Fair Shopping Centre. Picture: Bay Gourmet Meats

So busy he can hardly tend to his lipsmacking social media Mr Preston – no relation to the celebrity food critic by the way – was humbled by his win.

“It is overwhelming, there are a lot of butchers in the Redlands trying their hardest and it is a bit of a privilege to be up there,” he said.

Located at Birkdale Fair Shopping Centre the shop has lured appetites from far and wide since its inception some eight years ago, according to the owner.

Redlands Meat Hall in Cleveland is a Redlands institution. Picture: Kgbo/Wikimedia Commons

REDLANDS MEAT HALL

A Cleveland and Redlands institution famous for its big bull this family run affair enjoys a decades-long following.

Located at 40 Bloomfield St amid Cleveland’s calling card poinciana its big bull has appeared in different guises over the years, yet RMH has remained consistent in its quality offering according to its owners.

John O’Brien and brothers William and James took the reins from their father who started the business “somewhere in the fifties” and the shop has never looked back.

Admitting to a hard slog John was chuffed with the win.

Pork is a favourite at Redlands Meat Hall. Picture: Redlands Meat Hall

“The win is pretty great; it has been a lot of hard work and it has finally paid off,” John said.

With 40 years’ butchering under his belt John reckons it the shop’s personalised service and strict adherence to quality that sets them apart.

And despite the woes wrought by coronavirus and challenging business environment RMH has been a Cleveland stalwart.

Expect all the usual prime cuts and a few unexpected delights – boerewors anyone?