The aim of the competition is both to encourage innovation across the industry and also to recognise the skills of those involved in new product development.
This year there are six separate competitions and five regional heats taking place this year with the winners of each regional competition heat going forward to the final in London on May 16 – the same day that the Sammies (The British Sandwich Industry Awards). At the final the judges will select a winner for each competition as well as an overall winner who will become British Sandwich Designer 2013.
In each of the six competitions, entrants are challenged to come up with innovative but commercially viable new sandwiches using an ingredient specified by the sponsor. The ingredients specified for this year’s event are:
Bel UK Category - Leerdammer Mature
Goddess Category – Tuna
Universal Meats Category – Roasted 5mm Sliced Chicken Breast
English Provender Category – Apple, Pear and Fig Chutney
Dell’ami Category – Mezze Hummus
Warburtons Category – Gluten Free Bread
Richard Henderson, last year’s winner of the ‘Sandwich Designer of the Year’ said: “It really is amazing, and has taken a few days to sink in, I have a big smile every time I see the award, and it makes me very proud. It is a huge honor to win and to be able to represent the Food Service Centre and to promote the BSA .I learnt to cook with my Grandmother and mother when I was young and they would be very proud , it also doesn’t look too bad on ones CV.”
Richard Henderson will be returning to the competition again this year, and hopefully his success will inspire others to enter.