SAUSAGE makers from across the region are busy perfecting their recipes in anticipation for this year’s Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival - Sausage of the Year competition.

From spicy to fruity, chunky to chipolata, sausage lovers across the city will soon be salivating as this year’s sausages start to get sizzling.

Dozens of entrants will be battling it out for the highly acclaimed Sausage of the Year title and recipes are being kept a closely guarded secret by producers. Last year’s winner was David Joinson of Chester Market winning the 2009 competition with his delicious pork and apple sausage.

Having won for the last three years, David will now form part of this year’s judging panel having been deemed Chester’s most experienced and successful sausage maker.

David says: “I’ve been selling sausages for as long as I can remember, we make all varieties and I love coming up with new recipes. It’s absolutely fantastic that I have won the last three years, but now it’s time to give someone else a chance at winning and I am absolutely thrilled to have been asked to join the judging panel.”

Sausage judging will take place on Monday, February 22 at Joseph Benjamin at 140 Northgate Street.

Judges will be looking for originality, taste, texture and saleability as the winning sausage will be seen on the menus in restaurants that form the Restaurant Association of Chester and Cheshire as well as winning the coveted title.

There will be two categories, best sausage made by professionals and best sausage made by non professionals giving everyone a chance to enter this fantastic competition.

Entry forms can be picked up from Carole Faulkner at The Cheese Shop, 116 Northgate Street. Entry forms must be sent back to Carole by Friday, February 11 to be considered. Alternatively call Carole on 01244 346240 to be sent an entry form or visit David Joinson in Chester Market. ŠŠ

Festival Organiser Stephen Wundke adds: “We are urging everyone who has a passion for producing this favourite food to come forward and share your best banger, as this year it could be your chance to win!”

This year’s Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival will play host to over 120 food and drink stalls selling the very finest produce the region has to offer. New for 2010 will be the Homes and Gardens exhibition and camping for over 300 VW Campervans making this the largest lifestyle festival in the region during spring.

The winner of the Sausage of the Year competition 2010 will be announced at this year’s Gala Dinner on February 7 at Chester Racecourse.

Tickets for this year’s festival can be bought from www.chesterfoodanddrink.com and are £6 for adults, children under 12 go free. Camping is £75 in advance and £90 on the day. Concessions are £4 and there will be a £1 discount for all tickets bought in advance.