Trade

National Sausage Kings set to be crowned

Beef Central, 13/01/2020

THE humble snag will be celebrated in all its glory next month when the 2020 National Sausage King winners are crowned at a gala event being held this year in Terrigal, NSW.

Every year, dozens of independent butchers from across the country vie for the chance to participate in the ultimate sausage sizzle, battling their way through regional and state heats to earn a spot at the finals, under a program run by the Australian Meat Industry Council.

In February, 30 state finalists will head to the Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific on the NSW Central Coast, where a team of expert judges will determine the best bangers in six categories – beef, pork, poultry, lamb, continental and gourmet sausage.

AMIC chief executive Patrick Hutchinson said the competition might sound like a bit of fun, and it is, but there’s a serious side to it.

“Aussies love sausages and butchers love producing great products. So while the Sausage King competition is definitely a good time, the judging is serious business. Judges are industry professionals who score both raw and cooked sausages, grading them for flavour and texture as well as shrinkage, splitting and crinkling,” he said.

“Finalists have to meet a range of stringent criteria. In particular, they must ensure their sausages meet Australian Food Standards Code.”

The annual competition is open to Australia’s 3200-plus independent butchers, and is considered the meat industry’s premier competition program.

“This competition is about more than finding Australia’s best sausages – though that’s a pretty good cause in and of itself” Mr Hutchinson said.

“But it’s also an opportunity to highlight the role of the independent butcher. Whether they’re in a major metro shopping centre or in a tin shop in a rural town, butchers are highly skilled tradespeople. The butcher shop is not just a place to grab some meat for the freezer, it’s where people go to try new and interesting products, to get ideas for meals and meal planning, and of course to support local business.”

“We love our butchers, and we love our snags. In fact, Australians spend over $650 million a year buying nearly 100 million kilograms of sausages.”

  • The 2020 Sausage King winners will be announced on Saturday February 8. There will also be awards for Best Butcher Burger and a range of smallgoods categories, plus Apprentice of the Year. Awards will be announced at a gala dinner following a two-day program of industry training and networking events as well as rigorous testing for the finalists including an exciting Mystery Box Challenge for the apprentices.

Inaugural Sausage Week to launch in 2020

Following hot on the heels of the National Awards will be the first ever National Sausage Week – an entire week dedicated to the beauty of the banger, the savouring of the snag, the simplicity and succulence of the sausage.

From Sunday to Saturday, 9-15 February, independent butchers will celebrate Sausage Week with in-store promotions, competitions and specials. Drop into your local store to see what they have planned.

 

Source: AMIC

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Comments

  1. Diane, 28/01/2020

    Another one for Crafty Meats in Rivervale, Perth!
    Excellent sausages and excellent, friendly service!

  2. Jesse, 22/01/2020

    Pattemore’s!!!!

  3. Karen McDermott, 21/01/2020

    I would like to nominate Crafty Meats Perth, for hands down the best sausages available in Perth.
    The Toulouse sausage is our family favourite.
    Always service with a smile , a chat and advice on how to cook their products to perfection.

  4. Wez Sharpe, 21/01/2020

    Crafty Meats should take this out fo sure! Best butcher, unbelievably tasty sausages, best cuts and best service anywhere without a doubt!
    Bahhhhh Oui 🇫🇷 👍

  5. Justine Kelly, 21/01/2020

    Crafty meats Perth have an amazing selection of fresh and tasty sausages, they are delicious 😋

  6. Rivervale prince, 21/01/2020

    Crafty meats have a brilliant selection of sausages of all types
    They should be number one

  7. Yvonne Pettifer, 21/01/2020

    Crafty Meats in Rivervale, Perth should win!

  8. Nolwenn Le Gall, 21/01/2020

    Krafty Meat Perth is by far the best butcher in the West! Their sausages are amazing with a vast range to satisfy every taste. That’s why they should be nominated, I’m sure they will win!!

  9. Jonathan Acosta, 21/01/2020

    Crafty Meats in Perth hands down best snags in the country

  10. Ally Williamson, 21/01/2020

    Has to be Pattemores Meats at Alexandra Hills!

  11. Ashleigh, 21/01/2020

    Crafty Meats in Perth deserves to win. Best butcher around by far!

  12. Andrew Baxter, 21/01/2020

    Crafty Meats Perth should be nominated and win. Amazing sausages and the best butcher shop around

  13. Daryl Pattemore, 15/01/2020

    A great AMIC run competition that only helps raise the standards for Independent Local Butchers Australia wide and speaking from past experiences these are the comps that can really make a difference to your business when marketed correctly.

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