Great Sausage Roll Off 2023 winner revealed
Winning the competitions ninth battle with a unanimous verdict from the judges, Follas, who had entered the competition twice before, themed his sausage roll on a Sunday roast.
Follas said: “It was a case of third time lucky for me – and I honestly couldn’t be happier. I stuck to the basics – a really great sausage, with superb crackling and some truly delicious gravy.
“I knew it was good – and when you know the judges feel the same, it’s just the greatest feeling.
On display
“The sausage roll is definitely going straight on the menu at Bramble and the Roll Off trophy will be proudly joining my dusty Masterchef trophy on display in the restaurant.”
Second place went to Dav Browing of The Ocean View at the Dome, Plymouth, while third place went to Sue Mcgrath of The Vine in Buckden, Cambridgeshire.
The winning dish featured pork sausage meat from local Sherborne butchers Parsons, slow cooked onions, bacon and a secret spice mix, served alongside a bottle of his Blackberry liqueur to finish.
After being postposed for the last two years due to the pandemic, the annual competition, which was launched in 2013, was held at Fuller’s site the Red Lion in Barnes in London, on Wednesday 8 February.
Great night
Red Lion co general manager Angus McKean said: “It is just so good to be back. The atmosphere was electric, the sausage rolls were delicious, and this is the best line-up of entrants and judges we have ever had. It was a great night.”
As with previous years, the 2023 competition saw 16 contestants from across the country cook 12 sausage rolls, two for judging and the others sold in aid of hospitality charity Hospitality Action. An auction was also held on the night with £1,500 raised for the charity.
This years’ judges included Simon Rimmer [Sunday Brunch]; James O’Brien [LBC]; Kate Nicholls OBE [UKHospitality]; Daniel Clifford [Midsummer House]; and Pip Lacey [Hicce] while beer and food writer Melissa Cole compered.
Red Lion co general manager Claire Morgan added: “[The Great Sausage Roll Off] is is a magical night at the Red Lion and living proof of the amazing things you can achieve – even if you are just a wonderful community pub in South West London.”
