A young butcher from Skelton-on-Ure is celebrating after winning two prestigious national awards during this year’s industry prize-giving ceremony.
Nikita Somma, 24, has been crowned "Champion Meat Apprentice of the Year" and "Best Retail Butchery Apprentice 2025" at the annual prize-giving hosted by the Institute of Meat (IoM) and the Worshipful Company of Butchers.
For Nikita, who works at Sykes House Farm near Wetherby and completed her apprenticeship with Leeds City College, the accolades mark another milestone in what has already been a standout career.
Her latest triumph follows an impressive 2025 in which she competed at the Dalziel Apprentice Butcher Competition, taking part in the Battle of the Butchers and winning the coveted Golden Cleaver award. She also secured titles for Best Innovative Lamb and Best Innovative Beef Product.
More recently, she was named "Apprentice of the Year" at the Luminate Apprenticeship Awards, organised by Luminate Education Group, of which Leeds City College is a member.
IoM judges praised Nikita’s “impressive and composed” performance at the Battle of the Butchers, highlighting her technical skill and creativity as key factors in her success.
Speaking during National Butchers’ Week 2026, which runs until this Sunday (8th March) and celebrates the craft and community role of independent butchers, Nikita described her Golden Cleaver win at the Great Yorkshire Show as a defining moment:
“Winning the Golden Cleaver Award at the Great Yorkshire Show was a huge moment for me; competing against so many talented apprentices and being recognised was an honour”
“Learning alongside people my age and experimenting with different cutting techniques at college made me feel a lot more confident at work.
“Apprenticeships provide invaluable learning opportunities, especially when employers may not have the resources to teach everything in-house. Being able to gain knowledge from tutors, peers, and practical experience is an amazing feeling.”
Her employers at Sykes House Farm praised their “incredible apprentice butcher” on social media, saying she continues to raise the bar while representing both the business and Leeds City College “with absolute professionalism and pride”.
Her Learning Coach and Assessor, Kyle Linley, described her rapid progress as “a remarkable accomplishment”.
Nikita completed her 21-month apprenticeship in just 15 months, achieving several ‘Pass with Excellence’ grades.
Kyle said,
“Nikita is exceptionally dedicated, with outstanding attendance and engagement. She consistently produces high-quality work and demonstrates a genuine passion for butchery, often going above and beyond the programme requirements.”
While increasing numbers of women are entering the trade, recent statistics from Unionlearn in 2025 suggest around 90% of the butchery workforce remains male-dominated.
Nikita is determined to help change that. She is planning to launch an educational platform aimed at supporting women in the industry and creating equal opportunities and mentorship for the next generation.
The issue was also highlighted by IoM Chief Executive Dave Smith at the awards ceremony:
“I’m especially pleased to see women so well represented amongst our apprentice winners.
"The meat industry is for all. It’s good to see this message gaining traction where it matters — at grass-roots level.”
Looking ahead, Nikita has applied to join Team GB Butchery with the ambition of representing the country at the World Butchers' Challenge in Australia in 2028.
With two national titles under her belt and a growing reputation for innovation and excellence, the North Yorkshire apprentice shows no sign of slowing down.
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