A sausage based on a 1912 recipe devised by the entrant’s grandfather has been crowned the best catering banger in the annual BPEX Foodservice Pork Sausage of the Year competition.
This year’s awards by the British Pig Executive – for sausages made using Quality Assured pork – attracted a record-breaking 280-plus entries.
The overall champion (and winner of the Legendary British Banger category) was the Granddad’s Recipe Pork & Sage Sausage from JC Rook & Sons, which beat of stiff competition from 15 finalists that all merited gold award status.
“The recipe itself has stood the test of time, with just a few minor tweaks,” said winner Andrew Rook, whose company supplies Shepherd Neame pubs as well as restaurants and clubs.
The Catalan Wheel Sausage developed for the La Tasca restaurant chain by John Pettit & Sons headed up the innovative category, where third place went to the UK Foodhall for the 200,000 low-salt and low-fat Healthier Options Schools Sausages it delivers to 13,000 schools across the country.
Lancashire sausage maker, restaurateur and former butcher Kevin Berkins scored a hat trick with his Just Pork Sausage, Complete Breakfast Sausage and his Thai Lemon Grass, Garlic, Chilli and Ginger Sausage.
“With British Sausage Week upon us (31 October to 6 November) there is no better time to show off the amazing range of Quality Assured pork sausages available in pubs, restaurants, schools and other food outlets,” commented BPEX foodservice trade manager Tony Goodger.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Category 1 - Traditional Pork Sausage
Winner Just Pork Sausage - The Eagle at Barrow
Second Place Pinjar Pork Sausage - York House Foods
Third Place Gourmet Lincolnshire Sausage - Snowbird Foods
Category 2 - Speciality Pork Sausage
Winner Farmhouse Sausage - Underwood Meat Company
Second Place The Pickled Pig, Pork and Strong Real Ale Sausage - A. Turner and Sons
Third Place Pork, Pear and Black Pudding Sausage - Rothbury Family Butchers
Category 3 – Best Pub Pork Sausage
Winner Thai Lemon Grass, Garlic, Chilli and Ginger Sausage - Fence Gate Inn
Second Place Pork, Leek and Bacon Sausages - Cranswick Country Foods
Third Place Cumberland Pork Sausage - J C Rook & Sons Foodservice
Category 4 – Best Innovative Pork Sausage
Winner Catalan Wheel Sausage - John Pettit & Sons
Second Place The Complete Breakfast Sausage - Berkins Deli
Third Place Healthier Option Schools Sausage (Low Fat, Low Salt) - The UK Foodhall
Category 5 – Legendary British Banger
Winner Granddad’s Recipe, Pork and Sage Sausage - J C Rook & Sons Foodservice
Second Place Three Shires Pork, Apple and Herb Sausage - Cam Family Butchers
Third Place Pork and Apple Sausage - Solent Butchers