Alan Chilton of Somerset's Bower Inn crowned winner of the Great Sausage Roll Off 2020
Alan Chilton of the Bower Inn in Somerset has been crowned winner of the Great Sausage Roll Off 2020.
The annual competition, which saw 18 chefs from across the country battle it out, raised £3,500 for Hospitality Action.
Chilton's winning entry was an old English sausage roll incorporating ground cumin, turmeric, fresh ginger, chilli and garlic with crushed caraway seeds, served with an apple and tamarind ketchup.
Sausage roll champ Chilton said: "I'm overwhelmed to have won this award! This is the first cooking competition I have ever entered after over 20 years working in kitchens. My sausage roll was inspired by my travels around India some years ago. The day was lots of fun and it was great to meet so many other talented chefs."
In second place was Amber Southon from the Quarryman's Arms, Wiltshire, with a joint entry from private chef Iain Devine and Alan Paton, executive head chef of Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa coming in third.
Hosted by food writer Melissa Cole at the Red Lion in Barnes, this year's esteemed judging panel included Heart FM DJ Lucy Horobin, Paul Cunningham, of two-Michelin-starred Henne Kirkeby Kro in Denmark, Russell Bateman, former head chef of one-Michelin-starred Pétrus, and Paul Foster, chef-owner of one-Michelin-starred Salt in Stratford upon Avon.
As well as the plate for the judges, each competitor supplied samples of their entries, which were auctioned off along with a range of other items.
Angus McKean, co-licensee of the Red Lion and founder of the Great Sausage Roll Off, said: "What a year! What a competition! I always say the Roll Off line-up gets better every year, however, this year the chefs have really out-done themselves. The competition was really tough, I couldn't call it, the judging panel had a tough decision to make, but Alan is a worthy winner."
Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, added: "I cannot thank the customers and sausage roll fans of the Red Lion enough, their generosity with their donations was incredible. The money raised will be used to help and support the people of the hospitality industry. We provide support for the chefs, waiters, housekeepers and managers. We're here for the concierges, receptionists and kitchen porters. And we're here for every sommelier, bartender, catering assistant and cook across the UK."
