The country’s best sausages have been announced at the highly anticipated Dunningham Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.
Auckland’s Westmere Butchers was announced as the winner, beating out more than 800 other entries for its pork and leek sausage. The exceptional balance of flavour, texture and quality ingredients was praised by the judges and Westmere Butchery owner-manager Dave Rossiter said he was humbled and delighted to have won the award.
“It’s amazing, it’s really amazing,” Rossiter said. “This is a real team effort. We always pool our brains when deciding what to make. There’s some trial and error throughout the year, but thanks to a lot of love, this year has paid off.” Ta.”
This year there was fierce competition, with 808 sausage and mince products (meatballs and burger patties) on display across 16 categories: 13 sausages and 3 mince products. An annual celebration of craftsmanship and flavour, the competition showcases the best from butchers and producers from across the country.
Cathy Patterson, renowned food writer and contest judge, said: “The flavors they used are classic combinations that go well together. The balance and seasoning are perfect, and the leeks are perfectly tender and cooked, making for a great meal. The flavor of the green onions and pork came out clearly, and the sausage was really delicious.”
Cabernet Foods technical judge Brian Everton added: “Technically speaking, what stood out was the balanced and even distribution of the ingredients throughout the sausage. You could tell the flavor, grind and quality of the meat, which combined to create a winning combination.”
People’s Choice Award 2024 goes to Mapari Meats
The public was invited to sample and vote for their favorite sausage during the lunchtime ‘People’s Choice’ sausage sizzle.
The top six sausages with the highest scores were anonymously sampled and selected by Mapari Meat in Mt Wellington, Auckland. Venison chorizo Winner of the People’s Choice Award.
“This is a huge deal for Mapari Meat and we are very proud. We are thrilled to receive this award,” said Jeff Calder of Mapari Meats.
In addition to winning Supreme Sausage and People’s Choice, Dunedin’s Princes Street Butcher & Kitchen won the Dunninghams Choice Award for its traditional pork sausage. This award is given to the highest scoring sausage made using Dunningham’s spice mix.
Winners in each of the 16 categories were also announced. These results highlight the diversity of New Zealand’s sausage-making talent and the growing appreciation for quality minced products.
A complete geographic list of medal-winning sausages is available here
