(HERMANN, Mo.) – Hermann Wurst Haus had another successful year at the Missouri Association of Meat Processors 74^th annual Quad State Convention and Trade Show held in Columbia, MO, March 1 – 3, 2013. They captured 9 awards at this year’s meat product competition held in conjunction with the convention.

 The state wide meat product competition selected the finest examples of cured and smoked specialty items from more than 250 products entered into 20 different classes. Hermann Wurst Haus received the Best of the Midwest – Grand Champion in the beef specialty category for their new product, peppered Italian salami with wine. They also earned first place, Grand Champion honors for their smoked turkey and summer sausage. Hermann Wurst Haus braunschweiger was awarded Reserve Grand Champion; smoked chicken and German bologna picked up Champion honors and jerky, bacon and the always popular, caramelized pear and gorgonzola cheese bratwurst won Reserve Champion.

 “There was a lot of competition and creative entries at this year’s contest,” says Mike Sloan, owner of the Hermann Wurst Haus. “I was proud of what I turned in and excited about our achievements.”

 Missouri Association of Meat Processors (MAMP) currently represents more than 115 small and medium meat processing operations. Sloan has been actively involved in the organization, serving as MAMP president in 2003, sat on the Board of Directors for many years and shares his meat processing knowledge with others as a speaker and chairman of several committees. He currently is the president of the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP).

 Sloan says, “It’s important to stay active in MAMP and AAMP organizations because they assist the small meat processors with producing safe products and they are an outlet for new ideas, services and cutting-edge products.”

 The fourth weekend of March, the city of Hermann, MO hosts it’s annual Wurstfest. Wurstfest is a German sausage festival and contest held at the Stone Hill Winery pavilion and the Hermannhof Hofgarten. Sloan has been chairman or co-chair for this event for more than 20 years. The Hermann Wurst Haus will be a vendor at the Stone Hill Winery pavilion where they will be showcasing several of their award-winning products. The Hermann Wurst Haus storefront, located on First Street in Hermann, will be open Wurstfest weekend serving a tasty German buffet on Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

 Sloan enjoys teaching his craft and recently launched a new must-attend event for sausage lovers. Several dates have been announced for the Sausage Making 101 class where he will showcase his passion and knowledge of sausage making. Check out more of Hermann Wurst Haus’ events at www.hermannwursthaus.com.