New Zealand's best sausage has been crowned

New Zealand's top sausage has been judged. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand's best sausage has been crowned in the 2017 Devro Great New Zealand Sausage Competition.

The Boudin Noir sausage, from Akaroa Butchery & Deli beat 500 other entries to take the win with their French style black pudding creation.

Akaroa butchery owner, Brendan Foster and his talented team produced the sausage that stood out to the 48 judges, including head judge Kathy Paterson who was impressed with the flavour and balance of the Boudin Noir.

"We are really excited about this result. Black pudding or in this case, Boudin Noir, is a polarising sausage. Some won't touch it with a bargepole while others love it and then there are those who think it falls into the superfood category.

"This Boudin Noir is a well-crafted, perfectly balanced sausage with a beyond sensational texture. I encourage all Kiwis to go out and give this one a go. Add to a potato dish, use in a savoury tart or pan-fry and crumble over soup," says Kathy.

Brendan put the success of the sausage down to his team's passion for handcrafted products and stated that the award was a career highlight.

"Black pudding sausages originated as a means of avoiding food waste. For mine to now be recognised as New Zealand's best is a pretty huge achievement, especially for a small independent butchery. Proud is an understatement," said Brendan.

The Boudin Noir has taken the top prize. Photo / Supplied

Devro Great New Zealand Sausage Competition 2017 full results:

Supreme Award: Akaroa Butchery & Deli - Boudin Noir

Devro NZ Wildcard Award: Ashby's Butchery, Christchurch - Pepperoni Bierstick

People's Choice Award: Mad Butcher Albany - Pumpkin, Feta and Chicken

BEEF

Gold: Eastbourne Village Meats - Traditional Beef

Silver: PAK'nSAVE Cameron Road - Pure Beef

Bronze (TIE): Aussie Butcher New Lynn - Old English Beef and Ellerslie Meats - Traditional Beef

PORK

Gold: Hellers - Free Farm Country Pork

Silver (TIE): Waipawa Butchery - Famous Pork and The English Sausages Ltd - English Style Breakfast Pork

POULTRY

Gold: Mad Butcher Albany - Chicken, Pumpkin & Feta

Silver: Cameron Harrison - Chicken, Lemon & Sage

Bronze: Aussie Butcher New Lynn - Chicken, Lemon, Ginger & Coriander

PRECOOKED

Gold (TIE): Greytown Butchery - Saveloy and Wild Game Salami - Beard Brothers Old School Saveloy

Bronze: Peter Timbs Meats - Pork, Lemon & Leek

FLAVOURED

Gold: Greytown Butchery - Beef Flavoured

Silver: Hellers - Pork Flavoured

Bronze: Leonard's - Pork Flavoured

BLACK PUDDING

Gold (tied): Akaroa Butchery & Deli - Boudin Noir and Eastbourne Village Meats - Black Pudding

Bronze: Greytown Butchery - Black Pudding

CONTINENTAL FRESH

Gold: The Produce Company - Fresh Chorizo

Silver: New World Bishopdale - Merguez

Bronze (TIE): L'Authentique - Breakfast Toulouse and New World Nelson - Boerewors

CONTINENTAL READY TO EAT

Gold: Ashby's Butchery - Pepperoni Bierstick

Silver: Swiss Deli - Mini Wienerli

Bronze: Hellers - Continental Frankfurters

TRADITIONAL

Gold: Zamora - Pork & Sage

Silver: Bethlehem Butchery - Lamb, Pea, Feta & Chives

Bronze: Elite Meats - Pork & Fennel; New World Rototuna - Lamb, Mint & Rosemary; Mangawhai Meat Shop - Pork & Fennel

GOURMET BEEF

Gold (TIE): Hellers - Sticky Ginger Beef; Raeward Fresh Tower Junction - The Carolina Reaper - Beef, Chilli & Cheese

Bronze: Aussie Butcher New Lynn - Beef, Mushroom, Onion & Parmesan

GOURMET PORK

Gold: Bangerrito Inc. Worldwide Global Limited - Pork Bangerrito

Silver: L'Authentique - Luganaea Pork & Parmesan

Bronze: New World Bishopdale - Pork, Turmeric & Chilli; New World Elles Road, Pure Pork - Blue Vein Cheese & Garlic; New World Greenmeadows - Free Farm Pork with Apple & Cider; Peter Timbs Meats - Pork & Peach

GOURMET VARIETAL

Gold: New World Havelock North - Lamb & Mussel

Silver: PAK'nSAVE Cameron Road - Mussel

Bronze: Deep Creek Deli Butchery - Alpine Venison, Red Wine & Bacon