THE search is on to find Hampshire’s best butcher.

Food group Hampshire Fare is once more on the hunt for the county’s best butchers and producers ahead of the return of The Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition 2020.

This popular and prestigious annual contest will be held at Eastleigh College on February 18 and 19 next year.

An awards ceremony will then be held at Holiday Inn, Winchester, on March 5.

The competition is judged by a panel of experts from across the UK who mark entries against strict criteria.

Categories include: Traditional Pork Sausage, Hampshire Sausage, Young Sausage Maker, Speciality Sausage, Charcuterie, Meatballs & Faggotts, Hot-Eating Pie, Cold-Eating Pie, and Innovative Produce Award.

Tracy Nash, commercial manager of Hampshire Fare, said: “The Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition has become an important fixture in the county’s food calendar.

“It represents a unique opportunity for all local butchers and producers.

“This competition helps to highlight the quality produce available at local butchers, encouraging people to ‘shop local’.

“The winners of the sausage categories are also allowed to enter the national Champion of Champions Competition, part of The Butcher’s Shop of the Year Awards.

“This year that title went to Hampshire producer Greenfield Farm Shop who won Best Hampshire Sausage in The Great Hampshire Sausage & Pie Competition 2019.

“This was a notable accolade for Greenfield Farm Shop and also for Hampshire, illustrating that our producers are among the best in the country and the value of our own Competition.

“I would like to say thank you to our sponsors for supporting this event in a tough economic climate. We couldn’t go ahead with this highly regarded competition without their help.”

Entry forms must be completed by Friday January 31 and be returned to Hampshire Fare.

The products entered will need to be dropped off at Eastleigh College on Saturday February 18 for judging.

The entry form is available to download at www.hampshirefare.co.uk; alternatively call 023 8073 3830 or email info@hampshirefare.co.uk.

Who makes the best sausages and pies in Hampshire?