Day two of UK Sausage Week judging has concluded and the results will be announced on 30th October.
A three day process to find the UK’s best sausages, including two full days of judging at the Regional Food Academy in Shropshire, is now complete. All roads lead to UK Sausage Week (30th October – 5th November) when the results of the competition will be announced at a sizzling lunch on Monday 30th October to kick off proceedings.
Judges from Ladies in Pigs (LIPS), The Q Guild and the Institute of Meat put over 400 of the UK’s best bangers through a rigorous judging process in 26 categories. In addition the winners of those categories were then assessed to find which one will be crowned the UK’s Supreme Sausage.
Sue Woodall, chairman of Ladies in Pigs said: “I’ve done judging for Sausage Week for a couple of years now and I think this year has seen some of the best sausages yet. In fact, I think I’ve only come across two that I didn’t like!”
Former LIPS chairman, Frances Slade, said: “It’s been tremendous; I have not come across anything that I haven’t liked – which is just fabulous!”
Chief Judge Keith Fisher, the CEO of the Institute of Meat added: “It’s been one of the best events I can remember and the standard of entry has been fantastic. The amount of entries has also been brilliant and exceeded expectations.
“We are certainly seeing better and better quality and some very interesting innovations. I also think that it is really good news that Meat Management magazine stepped in to save sausage week after AHDB stepped back from organising one this year. It’s an important date in the calendar and everyone involved is simply delighted.”
All roads now point towards the celebratory lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall on 30th October which will highlight many of Britain’s best sausages, recognising winners from all around the country and of course the overall Supreme UK Champion.
Antiques expert and TV presenter Eric Knowles, who is this year’s Sausage Ambassador, will be showing his support for sausages and will present the winning retailers and manufacturers’ with their awards during the UK Sausage Week celebration lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall, London, on 30th October.
Publisher of Meat Management magazine Graham Yandell concluded: “I would like to thank everyone for a great job and extend my thanks to all the meat businesses who entered sausages. The enthusiasm and knowledge demonstrated by the Ladies in Pigs judging team is very impressive and under the watchful and experienced eye of Keith Fisher, judging has been to the highest standard. We are just delighted to be staging such an important event with our partners and look forward to the week itself.”
For more information about UK Sausage Week or to book tickets for the lunch, click here.
The new 2017 UK Sausage Week poster is available at the official website and can be downloaded free.