Popular butcher in L. A. Richardson & Sons, Lisnaskea, Duane Kille has set out on a fact-finding trip to Scotland with an award-winning butchery, Dalbeatie Fine Foods run by Irish-born Alan Elliott.

Last year, his butchery won a number of titles, among them Best Steak Pie and Best Gourmet Pork Sausage. However, it was his Best Scottish Haggis that caught the eye of the Palace where, today, following a Royal invite to Mr Elliott, the haggis is on the menu.

Hence, Duane Kille's expenses-paid trip to Scotland where, according to his boss, Clive Richardson, he can be inspired to an even broader range of meal ideas. He explained that Duane will be trading recipes, so it won't be one-way traffic.

The Richardson 'placement' tradition originated when Clive attended a food conference in Holland. It was organised by a firm which manufactures marinade who had identified the best operators within Northern Ireland and the UK.

"Since we returned from Holland,"Clive explains "we kept in touch with one outstanding award-winning butchery, Dalbeatie Fine Foods and its owner, Alan Elliott. Hence, phase two of our plan, to send Duane along as a fully-trained employee to them to bring home the ultimate special recipe, Scottish champion haggis".