As British Sausage Week arrives (5-11 November 2012), chefs and caterers are being urged to make sausages the star of their autumn menus.
The Week, now entering its 15th year on the catering calendar, will continue the celebration and patriotism built up throughout 2012. It’s a superb platform for pubs, restaurants, canteens and cafes to fly the flag for their quality assured sausages – such as those identified by the Red Tractor logo – and increase sales of sausage-based dishes.
Fronted by the country’s most renowned innkeeper
British comedy star Al Murray’s ‘The Pub Landlord’ will front the seven-day sausage celebration from 5-11 November. The vociferous character will draw attention to the fantastic range of quality assured sausages now available and the fact that sausages remain a stand up star of menus. He said:
“It’s a huge honour and great privilege to be the King of Sausages for 2012. The British sausage is a true national treasure and I can’t wait to taste some of the best our country has to offer. I’m calling on everyone in the UK to celebrate British Sausage Week by standing up for British Bangers and tucking into their favourite sausages.”
“I’m sure we’ll hear a few sausage jokes along the way but there is a serious side to British Sausage Week. Pig farmers are losing money due to rocketing feed costs and many face the prospect of going out of business. Sourcing sausages that carry the Red Tractor logo or equivalent mark of assurance will support farmers and at the same time provide customers with confidence that your sausage dishes are from pigs produced to strict welfare standards.”
BPEX foodservice trade manager, Tony Goodger, said:
“We’re delighted to have The Pub Landlord join us in Standing Up for British Bangers, which is a very apt theme for 2012. Now celebrating its fifteenth anniversary, British Sausage Week is an opportunity to toast your great varieties and innovative dishes.”
Add originality
Bangers and mash is always popular, but consumers these days are also looking for new menu ideas, and new recipes and ideas are available to download – they come with full nutritional guidelines.
You can pep up breakfast or midday menu’s with a delicious Brunch Squeak of sausages, black pudding and chestnut mushrooms. A Hearty Sausage One Pot is the ultimate flavour-filled and comforting feast, with lentils, shredded red cabbage and a splash of red wine topped-off with a sweet cranberry jelly. Turn a classic on its head with a Sausage Mash Up, spoil the kids with Banger Bolognaise or Sausage Pasta and toast increased takeaway sales with delicious Sausage Pasties.
Ideas to support British Sausage Week
It’s not too late – here are just a few ways that British Sausage Week can benefit hospitality business of all styles and sizes:
- Create a special fixed-priced or promotional sausage menu – this can be a blackboard introduced for the duration of the Week
- Introduce new celebratory sausage varieties (or ask your catering butcher or supplier)
- Allow customers to mix and match sausage options, with a selection of side dishes and sauces to choose from, or offer sharing plates
- Make recommendations for beers, wines and ciders that match your sausages depending on the flavours, such as chilli or herbs
- Host charity fundraising events, with sausages or a sausage meal as the prize
- Hold a prize draw or challenge diners to come up with new sausage varieties, offering a discounted meal or free bottle of wine for the winner
- Use the FREE point of sale material to highlight British Sausage Week and any themed events. Recipe ideas and imagery are also available from BPEX via http://porkforcaterers.bpex.org.uk/ and www.lovepork.co.uk
- Run a sausage-theme night – an open mike or comedy ‘stand up’ gala for example or pub quiz
- Plan a sausage-making masterclass with your chef or local butcher, with a tasting or meal included in the ticket price
10. Shout about the provenance and quality of your sausages!
For more recipe ideas and to keep up to date with British Sausage Week click here
For more information click here