THE RETURN OF THE GREAT HAMPSHIRE SAUSAGE & PIE COMPETITION

Posted: 16th December 2021

Hampshire Fare, the county food and drink group, is delighted to announce the return of The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition in 2022.

The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition, established and run by Hampshire Fare, was last held in 2020 with the awards ceremony taking place shortly before the first lockdown. With consideration given to the safety of both judges and competitors, it was decided not to hold the Competition in 2021. However, the Competition is returning in the New Year with new categories and new venues.

Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, comments: “At Hampshire Fare we are very proud of The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition which has attained national prestige. We regularly receive enquiries about entry criteria from across the country. However, although our competition has national clout, it is only open to entrants within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including members and non-members of Hampshire Fare.

“One of our regular entrants, Crow Farm Shop, Ringwood, having repeatedly won the title Champion for their pork pies in the Competition, was singled out for inclusion on Remarkable Places to Eat in the New Forest on BBC TV due to their award-winning pies. The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition’s Champion Certificate was shown on screen; that is the value and standing of this Competition!”

Following a year’s break, The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition has been given a refresh and will include new categories, alongside traditional favourites, that reflect consumers’ evolving tastes.

Tracy Nash continues: “We are very excited about the refresh that we have given The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition. We have introduced a new Scotch Egg category, a new Sausage Roll category and new Hot Eating Steak Pie and Hot Eating Speciality Pie. In addition, as well as the Traditional Pork Sausage, Speciality Pork Sausage and Hampshire Sausage categories, we are excited to introduce an Alternative Sausage category which can include vegetarian entries. These new categories are in response to requests and people’s changing tastes. Sausage and pie are hugely popular, but it is always our aim to encourage engagement with an even wider audience.”

In 2022 the Competition will move to new venues for both the judging and the awards ceremony. Judging will now take place at Basingstoke College of Technology.

Justin Mundy, Chef Lecturer, The Restaurant, Basingstoke College of Technology, says:

"We are excited to be working with Hampshire Fare in hosting this competition. It is a great chance for our students to gain valuable experience, seeing and working with some great local produce, preparing them for their future careers in the industry.”

The Competition’s awards ceremony will now be held in the spectacular setting of Southampton Football Ground, St Mary’s Stadium, with the evening compered by Lou Hannan, Presenter of the Afternoon Show on BBC Radio Solent.

The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition is only possible due to the support of independent sponsors. These sponsors are usually businesses supplying trade services to the food industry. However, in 2022, in an exciting new development, new consumer-facing sponsors have stepped forward.

Tracy Nash explains: “We are very grateful to our sponsors, including Angel Refrigeration, Dalziel, Lucas Ingredients, and NFU Mutual Winchester/Wickham for their continuing support. However, we are very pleased to extend a warm welcome to two new sponsors: Hampshire Fare member Powder Monkey Brewery, based in Gosport, and BBQ Magazine, a national publication. Both are a very good fit with our Competition, and we look forward to working with them. With the enthusiastic support of so many for this Competition, we have every confidence it will go with a banger next year!”

The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition is open to entrants in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and both members and non-members of Hampshire Fare. All entry forms (which can be downloaded from www.hampshirefare.co.uk) must be completed and returned to Hampshire Fare by 31st January 2022. For more information, contact the team at info@hampshirefare.co.uk or 02380 733830.