Rotorua's Mistress of Cakes named home of NZ's best sausage roll

Mistress of Cakes owner Siobain Higgins. Photo / Stephen Parker

Every day batches of sausage rolls end up in Kiwis' stomachs but if you're looking for the best in the country, there's only one.

Rotorua store Mistress of Cakes can boast the title of home to the finest sausage roll in the country after taking out the Coast radio station's Best Sausage Roll competition yesterday. The roll was up against strong competition from other finalists: Central Cafe (Te Awamutu), Cake Concepts (Auckland), The Latte Lady (Cambridge), Hi Ho Silver Coffee Cart (Tauranga) and 2017 winner Ward St Depot (Dunedin).

The competition was judged by New Zealand MasterChef winner Brett McGregor who said the roll was simply amazing.

"Everyone that tried it had the same expression on their face. Their eyes lit up," McGregor told the Rotorua Daily Post.

"I think she won by a long way."

McGregor said, when judging he was looking at the flavours, the meat, pastry and appearance.

"There's lots of little things that come into play."

Mistress of Cakes owner Siobain Higgins said there were a few keys aspects to a good sausage roll.

"We make everything by hand, there are no preservatives and we take great pride in using the best ingredients. We're passionate about consistency.

"Good quality meat is the most important thing. They need good seasoning, they need to have a good amount of flavour and good pastry so they are crispy."

Higgins said the store had been making the sausage rolls for about seven years and had no intentions to change a winning recipe.

After the announcement yesterday the store sold out of sausage rolls.

Higgins said they were excited to take out the title as they put a lot of effort and love into it.

More than 400 sausage rolls were nominated for the competition.