Bangers and smash hits at city festival

Meat and cider lovers in Dundee will be spoiled for choice this weekend when the “world’s biggest sausage festival” arrives.

The quirky knees-up takes place tomorrow at Slessor Gardens, with participants promised the chance to sample some unusually-flavoured sausages and craft ciders.

It is the first event to take place at Slessor Gardens this year, with Ibiza Orchestra Live in the evening (see page 23) and a series of concerts planned throughout June and July.

Those attending the “world’s biggest sausage festival” will be able to enjoy classics like currywurst as well as more unusual flavours such as veganwurst, maple and chilli, pork and black pudding, pork and jalapeno, and leek, chilli and ginger.

Visitors can put their taste buds to the ultimate test with an on-stage chilli-eating contest. Anyone brave enough to take part will start out with a mild and nutty-flavoured guajillo chilli before progressing on to round two where they will take on the slightly spicier Hungarian hot wax pepper.

After that, things heat up quickly.

The contest promises the “ring of fire” in round three and the “very hot” but fruity orange habanero in round four.

Milk will be on offer but it is unlikely to be too effective in round five as the remaining contestants tackle the Trinidad scorpion – previously thought to be the hottest chilli in the world.

Tasting notes for the final round simply say “gloves and glasses will be advised”, as those who have survived tackle the hottest chilli on the planet with a fresh Carolina reaper.

Anyone taking part will have to sign a waiver.

Ciders from brewer Apple Thief include flavours like Roobarb and Custard – which gets three out of five stars from reviewers – Sparkling Cherry, Strawberry, Cloudy Apple, Worcester Traditional and the 7.8% Major Jane. But organisers have promised other tipples will be on offer with beer, gin and prosecco for sale.

Entertainment will be by Oasus – a tribute to Oasis.

The group has attracted five-star reviews on Facebook with one fan branding them “very similar to the original”.

Biffy McClyro, Real Magic Queen and The Killaz are also on the bill.

The event gets under way at 6pm and runs until 11pm.

General admission – which only covers the cost of entering the site – is £30 normally but fans can still snap up half-price entry and are urged to book in advance.

There is also a queuejump option available for an extra £5.

GOOD TASTE TEST: The sausage, cider and music festival is at Slessor Gardens.