Photos and Results from the 2022 New Zealand Vegan Sausage Awards

Save the Plan*t with a Bang-er

The results are in! The Butcher’s Son hosted the 4th annual Vegan Sausage Awards today with celebrity judge Mike McRoberts, the vegan news anchor.

McRoberts is looking good at 56, his plant-based diet keeping him in trim and good health.

This year’s Supreme Winner was Plan*t Sage and Onion, which McRoberts noted “had an edge, a level of sophistication. It can be be eaten in many different ways: Breakfast, BBQ etc. The sage flavour and the sweetness of onion makes it a joy!”

It’s no wonder that New Zealand is 4th in the world for Google search results about vegan, when there are so many great vegan products to be found in the supermarket.

This year’s sausage winners are no exception, with many of the winners to be found in the local shops in the chiller sections.

There could be next year’s winner hiding in there! Supermarkets continue to report increased sales of plant-based food products.

The need for humanity to move towards a plant-based diet is being shown in report after report.

Sausages are a great start to doing exactly that, often quoted as “the gateway to plant-based”.

This year’s judges were Aaron Pucci, Food and Beverage Industry award judge, Jasbir Kaur, President of NZ Chef Association, Auckland Branch, Augustine Kopa, Pasifika Cookalong Chef and the aforementioned Mike McRoberts.

They were delighted with the array of offerings for the Awards and amongst the 40 entries, they finally chose the winners:

Results

Supreme Winner

Plan*t – Sage and Onion
Comments
“This sausage had an edge, a level of sophistication. It can be be eaten in many different ways; Breakfast, BBQ etc. The Sage flavour and the sweetness of onion makes it a joy!”

Sausage Roll

First Equal
Richoux Patisserie –Vegan Sausage Roll
and
Goodtime Pie – Chorizo Sausage Roll
Judges’ comments
“Both did an amazing job and were a very close comparison. Great texture and flavour to both. Pastry was good, brilliant appearance.”

Chorizo

Winner
Plan*t – Chorizo
Judges’ comments
“A good level of spice, attractive colour, nice level of paprika. A level of sophistication. Good oilyness”.

Runner Up
The Vegetarian Butcher – Chorizo
Judges’ comments
“Hearty chorizo, with good bite. Great flavours- punch. Flavour changes with cooking”.

Banger

Winner
Plan*t – Sage and Onion
Judges’ Comments
“Captures sage flavour and sweetness. Onion coming through great in places. Good caramelisation of skin when cooked. Good texture when uncooked”.

Runner Up
Plan*t – Chorizo
Judges’ comments
“Good casing, texture, consistency, flavour of paprika. Could have more red colour”.

Breakfast Sausage

Winner
Plan*t – Sage and Onion
Judges’ Comments
“Ideal for bratfort, ideal with potato, roast tomato. Good flavour of sage and texture for breakfast”.

Runner Up
Plan*t – Chorizo
Judges’ comments
“Good colour but could be stronger. Good looking with caramelisation of casing gives wow factor. Paprika flavours good with baked beans. Good level of spice for breakfast”.

Speciality Sausage

Winner
Grater Goods – Pepperoni
Judges’ Comments
“Good fennel flavour, good pepperoni, chilli and texture”.

Runner Up
Vegetarian Butcher – Spicy Italian
Judges’ comments
“Good intensity, not chewy, not too salty. Balanced seasoning. Enough chilli to keep it interesting”.

Hot Dog

Judges said “It was a good competition between both! Both would have meat eaters fooled; Meat eaters won’t find out!”

Winner
Vegie Delights – Classic Hot Dog
Judges’ Comments
“Good flavour and colour. It outdid the traditional hot dog. Had an edge“.

Runner Up
Howler Mini Notdogs
Judges’ comments
“Great for kids party. Good size! Meat eaters would never know!”.