A vegetarian, gluten-free pie has claimed top prize at this year’s British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
Made from jackfruit “steak”, gluten-free craft ale and black pepper, Pieminister’s Mooless Pie beat 976 entries to the supreme champion crown in Melton Mowbray, whose pork pies have traditional status.
There were 23 different classes of hot and cold savoury and dessert pies and pasties for the 151 judges to consider at the competition, which returned to its traditional March timing, playing out over three days at St Mary’s Church, after the pandemic caused last year’s competition to be moved to September.
Matthew O’Callaghan, chair of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association and host of the awards, said: “This was a superb pie, it looked good, had a nice even golden bake.
“The pastry was crunchy complemented by the moist filling which had ‘bite’, and the balance of flavours in the pie was just right.
“Up to now, gluten-free pies were always compared unfavourably with other pies. With this pie, gluten-free pies are now equal to any other pie.
“Being vegetarian and gluten free, Pieminister’s Mooless Pie is an ‘everybody’s pie’, be they vegetarian or meat eater, gluten tolerant or intolerant. Serve this at a meal and almost everyone’s a winner.”
Bristol-based Pieminister’s entry beat 35 contenders to the free-from title before being judged overall winner, the first time a champion had been chosen from the category.
The judges were asked to mark the pies on criteria including eating qualities, filling, and how a maker could improve their entry.
Three years ago, a vegan pie was the overall winner; last year’s champion was a meat and potato pie.
Pieminister’s victory landed the company an expenses-paid trip to a future British fair in Japan, along with a trophy and the title.
