01 August 2008, 12:35 PM
  • As the countdown begins to the eleventh annual British Sausage Week (3-9 November), butchers and sausage-makers are being encouraged to get their best bangers at the ready for a competition with a difference!

This year, as well as celebrating the quality and variety of one of the nation’s favourite foods, BPEX Ltd, the organiser of British Sausage Week, is looking for sausages that pay homage to a British Landmark. Whatever the regional influence, whether it’s locally sourced ingredients, the name, or even the inspiration behind the recipe, if you’ve got a sausage that fits the bill then this competition is not to be missed!

As well as being hailed as a producer of one of Britain’s Landmark Bangers – a great accolade and publicity boost for any shop – the winners will be presented with an award, certificate and a £150 cheque to donate to The Cystic Fibrosis Trust by the celebrity face of British Sausage Week 2008. The Landmark Bangers will also be placed on the official British Sausage Week map.

BPEX butchery and product development manager Keith Fisher says, “British Sausage Week is a popular annual event that honours the much-loved banger – and those that produce the many different varieties available today. The competition is a great opportunity for butchers and sausage-makers across the country to showcase their quality products as well as encourage customers to try a new variety and boost sales.”

The Landmark Banger competition is open to all retail and catering butchers. All they need to do in the first instance is simply send in their nomination before the end of August. BPEX will then contact them to confirm their entry and provide further information about the samples required for judging in September.

Butchers can also take advantage of increased publicity surrounding British Sausage Week 2008. Point-of-sale promotional kits, ideas for in-store activity, events, recipes and advice on generating positive PR are available from BPEX.

Competition entry forms are being sent out to butchers but they are also available to download from porkforbutchers.co.uk. Alternatively contact Jackie Hawkes on 01908 844107 or email enquiries@bpex.org.uk.