General News
25 October, 2022
Local butchery keeps MAKING HISTORY
EDGE HILL Butchery continues to make history as one of the best butcheries in the country after being crowned Sausage King for the fourth year in a row.
Owners of Edge Hill Butchery, Rod and Julie Leaver, have recently returned from the 2022 Australian Meat Industry Council Competition in Brisbane, where they won the title of State Sausage King.
Of the four categories Edge Hill Butchery competed in, they won three; and the Leavers have no intention of stopping; they are now preparing to compete for the national title in February 2023.
Mr Leaver said consistency and quality have been critical to the success of Edge Hill Butchery.
“It means a lot to be consistent over the last four years in the Sausage King title,” he said.
“To win at a state level and think you’re the best in Qld in different categories four years in a row shows that we’ve got a great product in north Qld.
“It’s all about consistency; we make great sausages and take pride in it.”
Officially, Edge Hill Butchery makes the best sausages in the state, and the Leavers said the secret to the best sausage is the best products.
“I like to use all fresh free-range pork trim, and just knowing where your produce comes from is a huge thing for us,” Mr Leaver said.
“We use fresh ingredients and herbs to make our sausages; they’re not supermarket sausages; they’re made the traditional, old-fashioned way.”
“I think if you consistently stick to that good recipe, the whole year round, it’s a no-brainer,” Ms Leaver said.
“When it comes to the sausage competition, you’re not making something you’ve never done; it’s second nature; you’ve always made a good sausage, so you continue doing it.”
For the Leavers, this title reflects their pride in their craftsmanship and the quality of the far north’s products.
“It’s a great feeling to think that you’re with the best in your industry in Australia,” Mr Leaver said.
“It shows that we’re proud of what we do, we’re very passionate, and to get to that level, we had to go through lots of different sausages.”
The Leavers said they would also like to use their platform and new title to encourage people to support local butchers.
“It’s great for people to support small independent butchers,” Mr Leaver said.
“People come to us knowing our sausages are freshly made traditionally.”
“It’s more personalized,” Ms Leaver said.
“They ask us for cooking instructions, we help them with recipes, dinner parties, and for us it’s more about building relationships with the customers, not just being their butcher.
“All our products are fresh and local, not mass produced, and you can ask where your products come from.
“When you support local butchers, the money stays in the community,” the Leavers said.
Edge Hill Butchery will prepare to compete in Adelaide’s annual Sausage King competition in February 2023.
For more information about Edge Hill Butchery, visit: www.edgehillbutchery.com.au
