A SOUTHAMPTON couple are in the running to be crowned Britain's best sandwich makers.
Katarina and Simon Broadribb, owners of Uptons of Bassett, have reached the final of the British Sandwich and Food to Go Designer of the Year Competition.
Katarina earned not one but three finalist spots for her mouth-watering creations: a bacon hot and sour sandwich, a smoked roll, and crispy chicken with wasabi punch.
Simon reached the final with his expertly crafted feta and Mequez sausage wrap, which he calls A Mountain of Feta and Mequez Wrap.
The annual competition invites sandwich professionals from across the country to enter by creating an innovative sandwich or food-to-go product using the sponsor’s ingredient as the key element, together with any other ingredients of their choice. 
On reaching the finals, Katarina said: "We have been entering this competition for many years, and we know how tough it is to get to the finals.
"I have three different sandwiches in the finals this year, which is exciting as well as terrifying as I must present them in front of the top chefs.
"I have worked incredibly hard to achieve this stage, and our children were eating sandwiches once or twice a day for several weeks.
"I am really hoping to bring home at least one prize and beat my husband."
Simon added: "I am very proud to be in the finals. There is nothing like a tough competition to bring out the best in a person.
"Every year I have entered, it pushes my boundaries, tests my skills, and makes me create something new and extra tasty.
"I look forward to the final and meeting up once again with the very best in our business."
Uptons in Winchester Road was formerly a butcher shop for more than 70 years.
Simon and Katarina took over the premises 30 years ago and have been running it ever since.
The competition is organised by the British Sandwich and Food to Go Association, and the finalists will create their sandwiches live this Thursday, May 4, at the Royal Lancaster, London.
They will be watched by an elite expert judging panel, which includes celebrity chef Theo Randall.
Jim Winship, director of the British Sandwich and Food to Go Association, said: "Every year we are astounded by the entries to this competition; it truly is a display of the very best in sandwich making.
"Each chef pushes the boundaries of taste and design, and they turn what some consider an everyday staple into something quite unique.
"Both Katarina and Simon’s creations were sure-fire finalist-worthy sandwiches. Roll on the final, I can’t wait to see what the judges think of each and every entry."
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