After the sausage scam, here's a real taste test... Maidstone's best sausage roll revealed
09:00, 30 August 2015
A Fremlin Walk food trader was not on a roll when he discovered he had been conned into thinking he had won an award for Kent’s best sausage roll.
As we reported last week, Ashley Green’s delight turned to dismay when he found out he had been tricked.
The trader, who works out of a distinctive red tram, had been approached by a man claiming to be from Produced in Kent, which is behind the Taste of Kent awards.
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He asked for £50 to be entered into the competition and Mr Green was later told he had won after mystery shoppers taste-tested his products.
But when the KM checked with Produced in Kent, the scam was uncovered.
Mr Green is now working alongside Action Fraud, a team of specialist police officers based in London, and is reviewing CCTV.
But his experience prompted us to track down the best sausage roll in Maidstone.
Video: The taste test
Chief tester Joshua Coupe and KM work experience student Niamh Connell proved they’re not flaky and tried a selection of offerings from the town’s independent traders, to separate the best and wurst.
Food was judged on taste and appearance, giving an overall score, which is shown in the table below.
The judges’ tasting notes are also given, and they recorded an impressive effort from all traders.
The Art Lounge, Market Building
Judges' comment: A cold offering which could have been very nice, but the soggy pastry let it down.
JC Rook & Sons, The Mall Maidstone
Judges' comment: A classic sausage roll. Just enough herbs and the cheapest of the bunch.
Judges' comment: A cold offering, very heavy on the pastry and little meat.
Judges' comment: Just the right amount of balance of crispy pastry and a good portion of seasoned meat.
The Royal Star Arcade Cafe, Royal Star Arcade, Market Buildings
Judges' comment: A good amount of meat, however the roll has slightly burnt ends.
Fortify Vegan Cafe, Maidstone
Judges' comment: While we didn't score it, we applied our taste-test. Judges enjoyed the vegetarian sausage roll which has crispy pastry and a sweet-tasting moist filling.
