Sales take off for primary school pupil’s winning sausage recipe

A primary school pupil’s winning sausage recipe is on a roll after making its way onto supermarket shelves.

After winning a competition launched by HECK! to find their next big sausage flavour, things have taken off for eight-year-old Lola Fenn’s healthy Lemon & Honey Chicken sausages that have become a best-seller on the Bedale food firm’s website.

They have also caught the eye of supermarket chain Booths, who are rolling out the special packs this month across all their stores in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire.

It’s usually HECK!’s ‘sausage scientist’ Calum Smith who’s busy in the kitchen coming up with flavour ideas, but this time they challenged pupils at their local primary school to come up with something new instead.

Lola, who attends Bedale Primary School in North Yorkshire, says her inspiration for the sausage flavour came one morning when she was pouring honey on her porridge.

“After HECK came to our school and spoke to us about the competition, I tried a few different ideas in the kitchen with my Mum and Nanna” she said.

“I really like honey and then thought adding some lemon would be a good idea with the chicken, and it just went from there. I didn’t expect it to be so popular and can’t believe I won, so I’m really excited to see the packs go on sale in the supermarkets.”

In special packs that feature Lola’s name, the sausages combine lean, seasoned British chicken with honey and a touch of lemon juice. They join HECK’s other healthier, gluten-free chicken sausages that have become a hit with slimmers, gym goers and healthy eaters.

“We’re passionate about getting young people interested in food and farming and this competition has really ignited the imaginations of budding young sausage makers” says HECK!’s Jamie Keeble.

“We received lots of great entries, but it was Lola’s lemon and honey combination that really stood out. The flavour’s been a huge hit with customers on our website and we’re so happy to see it roll out on the shelves at Booths this month.”

It’s also hoped Lola and the rest of the pupils at her school will be able to sit down to a bespoke lunch featuring the special flavour, now they’ve returned to the classroom this week after the summer holidays.

The limited-edition flavour is available at all Booths stores until 24 September 2024.