The fifth annual Vegan Sausage Awards took place last month and a new category of plant-based meat alternatives were added to the usual sausage categories.
It is a delight to be able to increase the Sausage Award categories and showcase the many delicious plant-based pastrami and other deli meats made here in Aotearoa.
The Supreme Winner once again was Plan*t, but this time with their incredible Spicy Chorizo. The judges agreed it had a “good casing, the outside was crispy, whilst the inside was soft and juicy. Good fat content.”
Sausage and deli meat alternative makers from all over New Zealand entered this year’s awards, and the judges had a monumental task of choosing the best bangers and delicious deli plant meats.
Jasbir ‘Jazz' Kaur, multi-award-winning executive chef and trainer, creator of the new series 'Ignite the Chef in You' and President of the NZ Chef Association Auckland, worked with Plabita Florence, owner and chef of Forest, one of only two vegetarian restaurants in the country to receive a hat at the Cuisine Good Food Awards 2022.
She was also named Evolving Woman in Food for 2023. The final chef judge was Fred Wong, who has worked all over the world, from 3-star Michelin restaurants right down to street food vending.
They were joined by celebrity judge, vegan comedian Tom Sainsbury who has learned a great deal about what to look for in a sausage from his previous judging duties.
“I may not be the best at describing umami and sausage casings but I’m very excited to be giving my opinion,” said Sainsbury, before the judging.
“Vegan sausages are here to stay. They are healthier for you, better for the environment and are a more compassionate way of eating, whilst still enjoying your favourite foods.”
Vegan Society spokesperson Claire Insley said, “With over 8 billion people and rising, the move towards a plant-based economy is ever more pressing. Plant-based sausages are a fun and easy way to look after our planet and our health.”
The trend for plant-based foods is continuing and likely to do so for the foreseeable future, as noted in this recent report www.futuremarketinsights.com/blogs/plant-based-food
The Vegan Society Awards work to reflect the variety and choice available in the plant-based world here in Aotearoa.
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Published 3 July 2023