Chester's sausage competition heats up

- Published: 07 February, 2008

The best of Chester and Cheshire's sausages have been selected to enter the final of The Chester Food & Drink Festival Sausage Competition.

Carole Faulkner of The Cheese Shop was chairman of the eight-strong judging panel, including chef Martin Bouchier, who flew in from his restaurant in Andalucia, Spain for the tasting.

More than 100 sausages were entered, with each butcher providing his best-seller and a new recipe designed exclusively for the competition.

The eight judges awarded marks for presentation, texture and taste. The eight sausages that scored highest were:

Phil Salt, of Stocks Lane, Boughton, Thick Pork

Phil Salt, of Stocks Lane, Boughton, Country Style

Noel Baker, of The Close, Bacon, Beef & Onion

David Joinson (last year's winner) of Chester Market, Pork and Blue Cheshire Cheese

David Joinson, of Chester Market, Pork and leek

Stuart Bebbington, of Chester Market, Pork and Apple

John Edge, of Handbridge, Lamb and Mint

And Chris Austin, of Austin's Butchers, with the Chester Sausage

The final judging will take place during the Festival over Easter weekend, March 22nd to 24th.

Faulkner said: "It was a hard task for the judges to whittle down the entrants from more than 100 to just eight. The quality of the best-selling sausages is naturally very high and the new recipes have some really interesting combinations of herbs and spices, with some unusual tasty additions.

"We're looking to spice up the competition with more public involvement, details of which will follow in March."