Mr Rettke has been making sausages for 10 years and said they have always proved popular in his shop Rettke’s Carrier St Meats.

“The quality of ingredients from my local supplier Colin Sinclair is what sets them apart and if the feedback from the customers is any indication, we are in for a good chance,” he said.

“Success in the competition definitely gives you bragging rights and there is no better incentive than being able to tell people you have the best sausages in the country.”

It is the second time Mr Rettke has gotten through to the national titles, being a finalist in 2007.

He said after that competition, the business went from selling four to five kilograms a week to almost 100kg.

“The competition is a fantastic way to give independent butcher shops a point of difference from supermarkets, our main competitors, and show consumers your local butcher doesn’t have to be huge to do what they do well,” he said.

The other State finalists include Stephen Hollis from Main Street Quality Butchers and Smokehouse, Healesville; Paddy Magin from Paddy’s Meats, Kew; Brad Drew from Hillie’s Meats, San Remo; and Paul Darroch from Top Meats Castlemaine.

The National Sausage King Competition will be held in Melbourne on February 4.