ONE of Butcombe Brewery’s head chefs has scooped second prize in this year’s Great Sausage Roll Off.

Amber Southon, head chef at the Quarryman’s Arms, in Corsham, won the award at the industry competition held February 5.

The event, now in its eighth year, held by Claire Morgan and Angus McKean at Fuller’s Red Lion in Barnes attracts entries from chefs across the country, all striving to win this coveted catering and hospitality industry award.

The final hosted by beer and food writer Melissa Cole, saw 18 chefs battling for the title of the ultimate sausage roll in a gruelling four hour live cook off.

Amber Southon said: “I’m delighted to have come second in this this iconic competition. My real passion and skill is in pastry, pies and old school cooking.

“At Butcombe we spend a great deal of time researching Victorian recipes for the pies, pork pies, wellingtons so this was a great fit for me.

“The pork is from Gloucester Old Spot and I added a chutney with orchard fruits of plum, apple and pears from my mum’s garden. It’s all about classical heritage food but bringing it up to date.

“My colleague Alan Chilton from The Bower Inn actually won the competition outright so we’re celebrating twice today.”

The Great Sausage Roll Off’s judging panel included celebrity chef and Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer, Heart FM DJ Lucy Horobin and Michelin-starred chefs Paul Cunningham and Russell Bateman.

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 Amber is a worthy runner up.”

Claire Morgan, co-licensee of The Red Lion, added: “Forget Christmas, forget Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, The Sausage Roll Off is what our calendar revolves round. I am delighted that we have been able to raise so much for Hospitality Action too. Our customers’ generosity is so humbling, I cannot thank them enough.”

This year’s event is raising money for Hospitality Action, a charity that offers help, advice and support to people who work, or have worked within the hospitality industry in the UK.