The Ward St Depot has won the Coast radio station's Best Sausage Roll competition after a six-week-long nationwide search by New Zealand Masterchef winner Brett McGregor.
Owner of the cafe-catering business Dan Davidson was up against strong competition from other finalists: Hororata Village Cafe (Canterbury), Mistress of Cakes (Rotorua), Tart Bakery (Auckland) and Central Cafe (Te Awamutu).
Mr Davidson won the crown for his recipe which includes ''a mixture of meats, a hint of curry powder with some mixed herbs, carrot and onion''.
''The carrot gives it moisture - that little bit of X-factor.''
He said the business started with a base recipe about a year ago and he had since developed it in the shop.
''It's something we've developed over time and kept adjusting to make it better and better.
''We've kept tweaking it and now we're really happy with it.''
He admitted there were other ingredients in the recipe, but declined to name them.
''Balancing the ingredients and seasoning it correctly is important.
To be named New Zealand's best sausage roll maker was ''truly an honour'', he said.
''We're both grateful and proud of the achievement.''
