HAMPSHIRE’S butchers turned out in force this week to showcase their talent at the Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition.

The annual meaty contest was organised by local non-profit food group, Hampshire Fare.

The competition attracted 235 entries from 35 butchers, a 20% increase on last year’s figures.

Contestants entered their products into thirteen different categories including: Hampshire Sausage, Hot Pie, Traditional Pork Pie, Black Pudding, Meatballs & Faggots, Charcuterie, Young Sausage Maker and Speciality Pork Sausage.

A pork, bacon and tomato sausage made by brother and sister team, Pip and Donna Smith from L.J Smith Butchers most impressed the judges, receiving a top score of 100 points.

Tracy Nash, commercial manager of Hampshire Fare, commented: “Hampshire has so many talented butchers and today’s event really celebrates their skills. It highlights the local meat products available across the county and the expertise and experience which goes into making them.

“Next week is British Sausage Week so we hope to see plenty of people tucking into some of today’s award-winning bangers!”

Results:

Supreme Champion 2015 – L.J Smith Butchers (Eastleigh & Bishopstoke)

Traditional Pork Sausage - Uptons of Bassett (Southampton)

Speciality Pork Sausage - L.J Smith – Pork, Bacon and Tomato (Eastleigh & Bishopstoke)

Lamb and Beef Sausage - L.J Smith – Arabian Lamb (Eastleigh & Bishopstoke)

Hampshire Sausage - Buckwells of Southsea – Sundowner (Southsea)

Home Cured Bacon - B. Drummond of Romsey – New Forest Oak Smoked (Romsey)

Meatballs and Faggots - Buckwells of Southsea (Southsea) Traditional Pork Pies - Crow Farm Shop (Ringwood)

Speciality Pie – Cold-Eating - Mum and Dad’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Egg, Bacon and Chorizo (Southsea)

Speciality Pie – Hot-Eating - Mum and Dad’s Kitchen – Gluten Free Chicken and Chorizo (Southsea)

Ready Meals - Soles Butchers – Moroccan Lamb (Alresford)

Black Pudding - Owtons (Southampton)

Hampshire Charcuterie - Ambrose Sausages – Hampshire Salami (Eastleigh)

Young Sausage Maker - Grover Butchers – Dragon’s Breath made by Hayden Voller (Chandler’s Ford)

New Forest Marque Winner - Cobley Wood Farm (Ringwood)