Smokehaus Meats Crowned the 2023 King of Kovbasa

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

On Thursday, February 2nd, the 21st Annual King of Kovbasa Competition, hosted by the Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Association of Saskatoon (UCPBA) was held in Saskatoon. The sold-out event, which featured gourmet sausages from around the province had been delayed for the past two years due to the pandemic.

A panel of local celebrity judges, as well as those in attendance sampled each of the sausages provided and from there, voted on several categories including Best Flavour, Best texture, Best Appearance and Best Overall (King).

Martensville’s own Smokehaus Meats ended up winning six out of the eight awards and were voted best in all four categories by the audience, and best in flavor and overall by the celebrity judges, earning them the title of King of Kovbasa 2023.

Money raised through this event will go towards supporting the Saskatoon

Sexual Assault and Information Centre. In addition, 9 Mile Legacy Brewing, who made a special brew for the event also donated proceeds from every beer purchased at the event to support Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Saskatoon Branch (UCC) to help settle displaced newcomers from Ukraine.

This inspired Smokehaus Meats to do their own fundraiser, so for the month of February, $2 will be donated to UCC for every ring of Kovbasa that is purchased, up to $2000 in total.

Congratulations to Smokehaus Meats on being crowned the 2023 King of Kovbasa!