Valentine's Day sausage contest (From This is Hampshire)

Valentine's Day sausage contest

9:32am Sunday 20th January 2008

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NOTHING says romance like a nice juicy sausage and for Valentine's Day this year Hampshire's butchers will be pulling out their best recipes.

Thursday, February 14, sees the sixth annual Great Hampshire Sausage, Pie and Ready Meal Competition at Sparsholt College.

The county's butchers and meat producers will go head-to-head to become Supreme Champion 2008 and the food group that runs the competition, Hampshire Fare, is asking shoppers to encourage their butcher to take part.

Tim Brock, Hampshire Fare manager, said: "This is always an exciting event designed to reward excellence and promote Hampshire's independent retail butchers and livestock farmers.

"The national judges are always very impressed with the quality of the products.

"Hampshire Fare aims to make consumers more aware of where they can buy locally reared meat and meat products - through farm shops, independent butchers and at Hampshire farmers' markets, and this competition puts the spotlight on the quality and choice available locally."

Last year the event, which is backed by The British Pig Executive, Hampshire County Council, Lucas Ingredients and New Forest Marque, saw a record 277 entries from 36 butchers.

There are 11 categories overall, including sausages, hot and cold pies, ready meals and barbecue and they are judged by a team of professionals from across the UK alongside invited guests.

The Supreme Champion in 2007 was Alan Gritt, of Hedge End Butchers, for his New Forest pork sausage.

In view of the date of this year's competition, there will be a special Valentine's Day category.

For more details, visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk or call 01962 845435.

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