‘Insane’ price of sausage sizzle at Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea

Sydneysiders have been left outraged over the “exorbitant” price of a charity sausage sizzle at the popular beachside event.

Sydneysiders have been left fuming over the “outrageous” price of a sausage sizzle at the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition in Sydney.

While thousands descended on the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk this weekend to enjoy hundreds of free-to-the-public artworks, some visitors who stopped by the Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club for a lunchtime snag were left less than impressed.

“Sausage sizzle prices are getting ridiculous,” one person wrote on social media on Saturday.

The person shared an image of the sign outside the surf life saving club that showed a sausage in a hot dog roll with onions cost $6.

“This was today in Tamarama,” they said.

On Instagram, the surf club promoted their “classic Aussie snag” and said that buying one was a great way to “support our club” while enjoying the art at the neighbouring Tamarama Beach.

“Every weekend during the exhibition, Tamarama SLSC will be hosting a sausage sizzle at the clubhouse,” the post read. “Stop by, grab a bite, and help us raise funds to keep our club running strong!”

However, commenters on the original post seemed to care less about supporting the life savers and more about their wallets, given the current cost-of-living crisis.

“Our culture is slowly disappearing before my eyes,” one wrote.

“Bloody un-Australian, that is,” another quipped, while someone demanded a “Royal Commission” into the price.

Others called it an “outrage”, “steep” and a “f***ing joke.”

“The upper class is not really that in touch with the working class cuisine,” joked another, referring to the affluent area of the Eastern Suburbs.

The medium property price for a house in Tamarama is currently $7,662,500 and $2,050,000 for a unit.

An angry Sydneysider shared an image of a $6 sausage sizzle along the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk this weekend. Picture: Reddit

The Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club said the funds keep their club running strong. Picture: Instagram/@tamaramaslsc

On the other hand, many people were quick to defend the SLSC, saying it was a fair price considering the club is run by volunteers.

“C’mon. That’s a fundraising snag,” someone argued. “You know how many people they have to fish out of the water every summer? A lot.”

“Crazy that this fundraiser is trying to raise funds rather than feed you for cost price,” a different commenter added sarcastically.

“Sausage rolls are $4-$8 at a bakery or cafe. What’s the big deal?” another asked.

Other Redditors said they’d be willing to pay $6 if it was a high-quality sausage and if the “bun to sausage” ratio was right.

Many people said the price was fair, given it was going to a volunteer-run organisation. Picture: Instagram/@tamaramaslsc

On a different note, some thought the real issue was the item being called a “sausage roll”.

“I’m more offended they’re calling it a sausage roll! That is not what that is,” the top comment read.

“And the picture is a hot dog. It’s like they didn’t even try,” replied another user.

“Who calls ‘em a sausage roll?!” questioned yet another Aussie.

“If I order a sausage roll and get a hot dog, I’m not happy,” another admitted.

Vivid festival goers express their disgust at the expensive cost for a sausage sizzle at the 2024 light show in Sydney. Picture: Reddit

It comes after Sydney locals were charged $8.50 for a sausage sizzle during the Vivid Light Festival in June this year.

“Can we talk about Vivflation?” a person wrote on Reddit.

“I don’t care what the reason is, but when you can buy sausages for about $6kg, onions for $3kg, and a loaf of bread for $3 (retail, so cheaper buying wholesale bulk for an event like Vivid), $8.50 is disgusting,” they said. “And it doesn’t come with a free beer.”

Many people agreed, saying they would not pay more than $5 for a sausage sizzle even if they were starving, so they would never be hungry enough to pay $8.50.

“For that price, you can buy sausages, bread and sauce yourself and have multiple sausage sandwiches!” said one.

However, people quickly pointed out that vendors often faced “exorbitant” fees from event organisers to have a food stall at festivals.

“It’s not just Vivid. It’s all food carts and stalls, the prices have gone stupid at every event,” one person said.

Originally published as ‘Insane’ price of sausage sizzle at Sydney’s Sculpture by the Sea