The search to find the best sausages in the UK took place this week with around 500 bangers assessed by a team of expert judges.
The judging team, headed up by Institute of Meat CEO Keith Fisher, gathered at The Regional Food Academy at Harper Adams University to put all products to the taste test.
Keith was assisted by Q Guild manager Claire Holland, Ladies In Pigs chair Debbie Wilson and her members, Meat Management editor Emily Ansell Elfer and food industry experts who examined the sausages in their raw and cooked state.
Speaking on the first morning of judging, Fisher said: “The number of entries has reached the 500 mark this year, which really is excellent news. Sausage Week remains as important as ever since Meat Management took over the initiative and the quality of the sausages coming through genuinely increases year on year.
“Opening the Sausage Week competition up to feature all meat sausages rather than only pork was an excellent move. Throughout the judging we will be tasting everything from turkey through to venison and some of the flavour combinations used are truly inspired. The care and attention that’s been put into the products submitted is clear – we really are simply looking for the best of the best over the judging days.”
Two members of Ladies in Pigs putting bangers to the test.
The judges were looking to find winners in 26 categories, including: England: North; England: North East; England: North West; England: West Midlands; England: East Midlands; England: South East; England: South West; Scotland; Northern Ireland; Wales; Best Foodservice Sausage; Best Supermarket/Multiple Retailer Sausage and Best Manufacturer Own Brand Sausage.
In addition, the best banger in the mix will receive the Supreme Sausage Champion crown.
All winners will be revealed at the UK Sausage Week celebration lunch on 29th October at London’s Plaisterers’ Hall. Tickets for the lunch, hosted by food writer and chef Sophie Grigson, are available now at www.uksausageweek.com/awards-tickets.
For further information on the celebration lunch contact Emma Cash on emma.c@yandellmedia.com or call 01908 613323.
