The fifth annual Vegan Sausage Awards took place on 26th June, and a new category of plant-based meat alternatives was added to the usual sausage categories. It was a new and great experience to increase the Sausage Award categories and showcase the delicious plant-based pastramis and other deli meats in Aotearoa.
The Supreme Winner once again was Plan*t with its incredible Spicy Chorizo. The judges agreed it had a good casing, crispy outside and soft and juicy inside.
Sausage and deli meat alternative makers from all over New Zealand entered this year’s awards, and the judges had the 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 worldwide, from 3-star Michelin restaurants to street food vending. They were joined by celebrity judge, vegan comedian Tom Sainsbury, who has learned much 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 a more compassionate way of eating whilst still enjoying your favourite foods,” said Vegan Society Spokesperson Claire Insley.
“With over eight billion people 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 health.”
The trend for plant-based foods is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Categories and their winners include the Breakfast Sausage, won by Plan*t’s Sage and Onion, with Plan*t’s Spicy Chorizo taking the runner-up prize. The Vegetarian Butcher’s Spicy Italian won the Banger, with Plan*t’s Spicy Chorizo as runner-up. Plan*t’s Spicy Chorizo took first place in the Hotdog category, and Vegie Delights Hot Dog returned with second place. Sausage Roll was won by Goodtime Pies Vegan Sausage Roll, with Baker’s Son ‘Dad’s Pip’ Vegan Sausage Roll as the runner-up.
The Vegetarian Butcher’s Spicy Italian won the specialty sausage category, with Omahu Rd Deli’s Kawakawa as the runner-up. Chorizo was won by none other than Plan*t’s Spicy Chorizo, with the Vegetarian Butcher’s Chorizo coming second,
The new category of Deli Meat Pastrami was won by Omahu Rd’s New York Style Pastrami, with the Vegetarian Butcher’s Pastrami taking second place. And The Deli Meat Others category was won by Witty Tui-Smoked Ham Style, with Plan*t’s Chick*n coming second.
