During Sausage Week, pupils from Redborne Upper School in Ampthill enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Franklins farm in Thorncote Green near Sandy. The three finalists of Franklins’ School Sausage Week competition had a chance to try their hands at making a batch of sausages before their own recipes were cooked up and judged and a final winner awarded the terrific prize of a weekend cooking experience at Moggerhanger Park under head chef Jim Fitzgerald and a meal for two at the restaurant.

Jessica Malcolm’s recipe of pork sausages with red pepper, fresh basil and ground back pepper was selected by the judges. Says Jessica, “I can’t believe they picked my sausages, we had a chance to taste all of the recipes and I thought they were all delicious. I’m really looking forward to spending some time in the kitchen at Moggerhanger Park. I think it’ll be hard work but I can’t wait to have a go.”

Says John Franklin, owner of Franklins’ Farm, “I was exceedingly pleased with the whole competition. The three final recipes were outstanding, it was clear the contestants had really thought about what flavours would work well together and it was a very tough decision but Jessica’s recipe just tasted that bit more special.”