A HIGHWORTH butchers is challenging pubs and restaurants to show they are cut above with a steak sandwich competition to mark National Butchers’ Week.

The nation will pay homage to all things meat from Monday, March 13 until Friday, March 19 and the competition, organised by Highworth-based butchers Andrews Quality Meats, will take place throughout the month.

The competition to find the tastiest, most succulent steak sandwich will involve the restaurants and pubs in the Marlborough and Highworth areas that award winning butchers Andrew’s supplies to.

They are being encouraged to create the best steak sandwich they possibly can and the entries will be judged by members of the steak-loving public.

Andy Sears, of Andrews Quality Meats, said he was looking forward to the competition getting underway and seeing some of the tasty creations.

He said: “It should be good fun and a real positive for local businesses. I would encourage people to get involved and enjoy it.

“It’s great to be able to do things like this and I think it will be a lot of fun.”

Andrews Quality Meats supplies various cuts of meat to a wide range of Wiltshire pubs and restaurants. Andy has run the business for more than 20 years and over the years it has built up a loyal following of customers keen to support their local butcher.

Organiser Gail Gibson said she hoped townsfolk would come out and support the event.

She said: “The idea behind the steak sandwich competition is to promote local produce and local businesses. We thought that, at this time of year, it would be good business for everyone involved and a way of getting more people through the doors of the pubs and restaurants.

“We are hoping people will see it as an opportunity to get out with their families and try some tasty steak sandwiches.”

Gail highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses and buying locally-sourced produce.

“It’s important to try to reduce your carbon footprint,” she said. “If we can get the steak straight from the field to your plate then that will benefit the local economy.”

Encouraging as many establishments to take part as they possibly can, Gail said: “We’d love people to take part by creating their own unique steak sandwich and running it on their menu throughout March.

“The winning pub or restaurant will be the one with the best steak sandwich as determined by your customers through a voting system on our Facebook page.”

National Butchers' Week is organised by Meat Trades Journal.

If you would like to be involved, please email Gail Gibson at gail@gailmgibson.com.