Perfect banger under scrutiny

Experienced sausage judge Kathy Paterson at work.

Judgement time is drawing nearer for butchers as the hunt is on for the nation's best tasting sausage - and with National Sausage Day looming, the search is perfectly timed.

Sausage makers from all around New Zealand are perfecting their recipes and preparing to send entries into this year's Devro Great New Zealand Sausage Competition in the hopes of becoming the Supreme winner.

The judging panel will be made up of a mixture of New Zealand's favourite foodies, butchers and industry heavyweights.

These judges, over a two-day period will sample and examine all competition entries to determine the top 12 sausages which then go on to the final taste test.

Sausages are judged prior to cooking on their inner and outer visual appearance, then once cooked, on appearance, aroma, texture, composition and taste.

Having judged the competition for the past four years, past president of Food Writers New Zealand, Kathy Paterson, knows exactly what it's all about and more importantly, what goes into an award-winning sausage.

"This competition celebrates a Kiwi classic. There aren't many New Zealanders out there that would go through the summer season without indulging in at least one sizzling sausage, whether that be at the local hardware store, at the beach or on their dinner plate."

"As judges, we are looking for a good meat to fat ratio along with the appropriate mix of herbs or spices," says Ms Paterson.

The winning sausage will be announced at an awards event on October 19, in time to celebrate National Sausage Day on the following day, Friday, October 20.

In addition, members of the public will be called to have their say in naming the winner of this year's People's Choice Award, with a public tasting being held on Friday, October 13 at Smales Farm Business Park in Takapuna.