CHEF Amber Southon is going go head to head with industry's finest in a sausage roll competition.

The 28-year-old head chef at The Quarryman’s Arms in Corsham is entering The Great Sausage Roll Off.

She will go up against 19 other chefs in a bid to take the title for the best pastry treat.

Amber said: “I entered last year but didn’t place although I got a special mention. It was nerve-wracking as the chefs watch you make the pastry but it’s lots of fun. This time I want to win it as I’ve been planning it for the whole year.

“We specialise in home-made pies at the pub so there is a lot of passion for pastries. It’s a big deal being female in this industry and they recognise my hard work.

“The theme for my sausage roll is a traditional British farm, so the old spot pork is the farmyard. It’s about classical heritage food but bringing it up to date, as well as being local and fresh.

“The idea is based around the fact I used to spend lots of time on a farm when I was younger where the pigs use to eat the apples before we could get them. The pork will be from Gloucester old spot so it’s one of the best with some secret ingredients in there."

Amber, from Malmesbury, added: “I’m making a chutney with orchard fruits of plum, apple and pear to go with it from ingredients from my mum’s garden.

“It’s a lovely day out which is great for networking and meeting other chefs.”

For the eighth year in a row, licensees Claire Morgan and Angus McKean will host the contest at The Red Lion in Barnes, London. The competition starts at 7pm on February 5.

This year’s event is raising money for Hospitality Action, a charity that offers help, advice and support to people who work, or have worked within the hospitality industry in the UK.

Hosted by award-winning beer and food writer Melissa Cole, chefs from across the country will descend on The Red Lion to create the ultimate sausage roll.

Angus said: “I can’t wait to see the weird and wonderful combinations of pastry, filling and accompaniments the chefs will submit.

“The incredible judging panel we have is testament to the status the Sausage Roll Off has among chefs across the UK. If you had told me, when we started in 2013, that I’d have four Michelin stars on the judging panel I’d have said you’d been putting something dodgy in your sausage roll.”