Banger boffin's sizzling success

The Greytown Butchery has once again captured national awards with sausages that have been winning medals - gold, silver and bronze - since 2006.

Butchery owner Gavin Green said his beef snarlers have been consistent winners in the annual Devro New Zealand Sausage Competition, despite failing to place last year.

"We were so close last year and only missing out one year in seven isn't that bad I guess."

The butchery's beef and pre-cooked beef sausages this year took silver and bronze medals respectively in the competition, a result which the same snarlers first achieved in 2010.

Mr Green said he was pleased to be back on the podium in the national contest, in which 450 sausages were entered this year, and he remains confident that gold is still a possibility for the butchery in the future.

"It's really hard to win, really tricky, but we took three medals one year and we have won gold before, so hopefully we've got what it takes to win gold again."

Mr Green said the range of sausages produced at the Greytown Butchery, including black pudding, venison, and gluten-free mango and chilli, are also available at Four Square stores in Eketahuna, Pirinoa, Featherston and Greytown.

The award-winning sausages also are available at Pinehaven Orchards north of Greytown and Carrington Wines and Spirits in Carterton, he said.

Kim Doran, of Retail Meat New Zealand, said the 2012 Supreme Award and People's Choice Award winners were decided on Friday night. "Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded as well but only the best of the best made it to the supreme judging round."

A Smoked Kielbasa sausage made at the Island Bay & Strathmore Butcheries in Wellington took the Supreme Award and the People's Choice Award was won by Franklin Country Meats with a Smoked Paprika & Cheese sausage.