3 Isle of Wight businesses have been recognised for their outstanding produce at the Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition 2022.
Butchers and producers from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight gathered at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on Wednesday (9th March) for a sausage supper and the much-anticipated results of the competition, announced by Louisa Hannan of BBC Radio Solent.
Despite a year’s absence, entries to the competition were higher than ever. Altogether there were 243 entries from across the region, including the Isle of Wight for the very first time.
Briddlesford Lodge Farm, in Wootton, was named Speciality Pie Champion for their Luxury Veal and Wild Mushroom Pie, making them the Isle of Wight’s first Champions in the Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition. The business also picked up Gold awards for their scotch egg and traditional Apple & Black Pudding pork pie. They also received 4 Silver awards for their sausages.
Stephen Sheaf of Briddlesford Lodge Farm said:
“It is incredible news. As it was the first time we entered, we couldn’t have expected any more really! We sell the Luxury Veal and Wild Mushroom Pie in the shop alongside a Veal and Vegetable Pie. They are probably the most popular pies we do because all the veal is from the farm here. I think that is what everyone on the Island loves, because it is all local produce.
“We are also really happy with all the other results. To get Golds for the Scotch Egg and The Farmer’s Pork Pie was really good, and to have Silver Awards for all our sausages was great, especially as I have only been making my own season for our sausages for about three months. The judging notes were exceptionally helpful, too. We’ve already talked about it and we will be back next year!”
The Butcher Shop in Cowes won 2 Golds and a Silver for speciality sausage, as well as a Silver for another speciality sausage – their Breakfast Sausage.
W W Woodford & Son of Bembridge received 3 Golds for sausage roll, speciality pie and speciality sausage, as well as 2 Silvers for Hampshire Charcuterie and Hot Eating Steak Pie.
Tracy Nash, Commercial Manager, Hampshire Fare, commented:
“We are delighted by the number of entries we have received to this year’s Competition. They included the first ever entries from the Isle of Wight – with one of them returning to the Island as a Champion!
“This year’s Competition has seen the introduction of new categories, including Scotch Egg, Sausage Roll, and Alternative Sausage. They were all very popular and, in fact, it was a winner of one of the new categories that was named Supreme Champion! This business was also a new entrant to the Competition: Buckingham’s Artisan Butchery in West Meon.”
Well done Isle of Wight businesses