Search commences for New Zealand's supreme sausage

Sausage makers nationwide are perfecting their recipes in preparation for the 2010 Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.

Entries have now opened in the hunt for the prestigious Supreme Sausage award which sees local, corner butchers and massive sausage manufacturers alike battling it out for the title.

With 12 categories to enter, there will be a taste to tantalise everyone, from traditional beef to smoked paua and garlic and the competition will be tough.

Head judge and foodwriter Kerry Tyack says this competition has two sets of winners.

“The butchers get to put their best foot forward and test their skills against their peers. And consumers, who love a great sausage, are introduced to new and innovative products which have been tried, tasted and rewarded for their excellence,” says Tyack.

This year, the final will be held in Auckland from 17-19 November with butchers, chefs, foodwriters and celebrities putting their taste buds to the test to find New Zealand’s number one sausage.

Mystery shoppers will be scouring the country picking up the entries to ensure what is judged in Auckland can be bought by anyone, anytime.

The competition, sponsored by Devro, Kerry Ingredients and Alto, has been running for 15 years.