Last night was the 8th annual Great Sausage Roll Off, organised by pub managers Angus McKean and Claire Morgan, and we were proud to be sponsors for the third year running.
And that sums it up, but barely scratches the surface of what this is really all about.
These are not next level sausage rolls, these are top floor, roof garden, let's build another level sausage rolls.
These are not just any judges, these are the great and the good of the hospitality industry.
This is not just a raffle for a box of chocolates and a bottle of dodgy wine; this is a silent auction for dinners, overnight stays, champagne afternoon tea, stellar ice cream, butchery classes and more besides
Oh what a night!
19 entries of outstanding sausage rolls, 4 judges, with a total of 4 Michelin stars between them, 3 fabulous prizes, one cat herder - her words, not ours!, compere Melissa Cole and one charity, which has literally saved the lives of people working in the catering industry; Hospitality Action.
Let me introduce you to this year's judging panel:
Lucy Horobin: Lucy is a Sony Award nominated broadcaster, and presents the Getting You Home show and Saturday Breakfast with JK on Heart London and Heart Extra, and by her own admission, a sausage roll junkie. Whereas many would quail at the prospect of working their way through 19 sausage rolls in one sitting, Lucy positively relished the challenge.
Russell Bateman: A chef with an amazing CV, now at Pétrus, with a Michelin star to his name.
Paul Foster: Having travelled the world, Paul has returned to his Warwickshire roots, and runs his own restaurant, Salt in Stratford on Avon and travelled down to London to take part in this year's judging panel.
And further to emphasise the prestige of this event, just look at the contestants, who came from the North - Liverpool, Oldham; the West - Corsham, Bridgwater; the South - Padstow, Plymouth; the East - Norfolk, Canterbury and the capital - London.
Amber Southon, the Quarryman's Arms. Amber came second and took home a pile of specially commissioned Netherton cookware, which included an 8" frying pan, 12" frying pan and heavy duty baking sheet, so she can practice for next year.
Phil Harrison, Bears Ice Cream company, who came third last year. He has yet to produce a sausage roll flavoured ice cream, but he did incorporate flavourings from our favourite spice man, Mr Wolf, this year.
Iain Devine & Alan Paton, hailing from Manchester and East Anglia, thus covering two points of the compass, this pair were thrilled to be awarded third place this year, although I am not sure how they are going to share the prize of a Rational knife roll across their geographic divide.
Danny Kingston; a most entertaining chap, who normally sits on the press table, but took the plunge and offered up his rolls for judgely scrutiny this year.
Davin Browning, head chef at The Apron restaurant, Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Davin was perhaps even more disappointed than the rest of us that Simon Rimmer was unable to take his place at the judges' bench again this year, following an operation earlier in the week.
We wish Simon a speedy recovery.
Maurizio Pellegrini, the Italian Club, Liverpool, as you would, expect combining the best of British with tastes of Italy
Ben Handley, chef patron of the Duck Inn, ruffling feathers with a quail sausage egg.
Matt Colk, The Gun Docklands more feathers flying, as Matt produced a chicken Caesar salad roll.
Majella O'Connell, aka Pavlova and Cream, a food photographer, not a chef! And whilst you may think it is brave of her to mix it with the professionals, bear in mind that Majella was coached by none other than Daniel Clifford.
Alan Chilton, Bower Inn Bridgwater, whose sausage roll comprising Old English pork, flavoured with cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, caraway, chilli and garlic took first prize. Alan was awarded with a stunning roll of I.O.Shen knives, all etched with the event logo.
Anton Manganaro, from BAFTA, who used pork from the inspirational pig farmer, Martha Roberts
Adrian Oliver, who works at Padstow Harbour Hotel had an eventful time last year, when he won first prize for his sausage roll and then got hit by bad weather on the way home and had to spend the night in a snowbound service station. Sadly, he didn't win this year, but hopefully the journey back was less eventful.
Alec Tomasso, ex Masterchef contestant and aka The Weeping Chef is now a Roll Off regular and we hope to see him taking part again next year.
James Taylor travelled down from the Bulls Head, Heyside, Oldham to take part, showcasing a pork sausage roll with caramelised pineapple.
Adam Lestrelle didn't have quite so far to travel, popping down to the Red Lion from The Roehampton Club
David Steele of Bartlett Mitchell, may not have won, but we think that a sausage roll made from pork, smoked chicken, pistachio and apricot served with a burnt apple purée and London Pride dill pickles deserves a very special mention. You had us at dill pickles!
Finally, it was the turn of Charlie Hodson, chef, roll off stalwart and ambassador for Hospitality Action. Charlie has more reasons than many to advocate the services offered Hospitality Action and bravely spoke out last night about his own mental health problems, praising the charity for the, quite literally, life saving support it had offered him. His entry, called Saving Grace, may not have won the competition, but his speech won everyone's hearts.
Charlie, we love you and hope your feet are treading a steady path this coming year.
The hospitality industry, whilst exciting, vibrant and full of opportunities, can also be a brutal, challenging and harsh working environment. Hospitality Action is there to support those who need it and we were proud to lend our support to them.
Cat herder in chief, the indomitable Melissa Cole compered the evening brilliantly, keeping so many chefs in line in a pub is not a job for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach. Channeling her inner Queen Elizabeth I, she kept them all, more or less under control, with no cheffish rivalries getting out of hand and no sabotage detected!
At the end of the proceedings, Melissa announced that a grand total of £3537 had been raised for Hospitality Action and that is surely an achievement worth raising a glass to.
Roll on #rolloff 2021
Netherton Foundry Shropshire 2020 ©
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