A CHEF from Oldham is one of 20 culinary experts from around the UK set to go head to head in The Great Sausage Roll Off 2020.

James Taylor from The Bulls Head in Heyside will travel to London on Wednesday, February 5 to compete for the mantle of making the ultimate sausage roll.

For the eighth year in a row, licensees Claire Morgan and Angus McKean will host the event at The Red Lion in Barnes, London, while at the same time raising cash for Hospitality Action.

Hosted by award-winning beer and food writer Melissa Cole, this year’s Michelin star-studded judging panel comprises of TV celebrity chef and Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer, Heart FM DJ Lucy Horobin, Paul Cunningham (two stars) – head chef of Henne Kirkeby Kro in Denmark, Russell Bateman (one star) – head chef at Petrus and Paul Foster (one star) – chef-owner of Salt in Stratford upon Avon.

The competing chefs come from across the country and from a whole range of kitchens. They include chefs from some of Britain’s best-known gastro pubs, such as The Compasses in Canterbury and The Gun in Docklands, while other entrants include representatives from The Theatre Royal in Plymouth and BAFTA and food photographer Majella O’Connell. A full list of competitors can be found on The Red Lion’s website www.red-lion-barnes.co.uk/roll-off.

Angus said: “Every year, the competition gets bigger and better and this year is our strongest line up ever. I can’t wait to see the weird and wonderful combinations of pastry, filling and accompaniments the chefs will submit.

“I think the incredible judging panel we have is testament to the status the Sausage Roll Off has among chefs across the UK and beyond. 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.”

Claire added: “It’s a fantastic night, normally quite chaotic, but great fun. The atmosphere is amazing, we will raise lots of money for Hospitality Action, and I can’t wait to see who is going to walk away with the trophy this year.”

Hospitality Action is a charity that offers help, advice and support to people who work, or have worked within the hospitality industry in the UK.

From physical illness and mental health issues to financial difficulty and family problems, the charity is committed to seeing people through tough times and getting them back on their feet.

Iain Devine from The Drunken Butcher in Manchester is also taking part.