A number of pie makers from Greater Manchester have won big at the 2023 British Pie Awards.
More than 900 pies were entered for the annual competition, which takes place in the pork pie capital of Britain, Melton Mowbray. While Greater Manchester's top pie makers didn't take home any of the major trophies, several pies were commended and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.
Among the entrants were Crown Hawk Green and Ate Days A Week in Stockport, Little Saddleworth Pies in Oldham, Cake Loves Cake in Greenheys, The Vegan Picnic Basket in Old Trafford, and HM Pasties in Bolton - the project for ex-offenders which won the vegan pie category in 2022 for its chickpea curry pasty.
Read more: What it's like to be a judge at the British Pie Awards
Surprisingly for Wigan, the borough only had two entrants in the contest: Baldy's, creators of the lamb and Uncle Joe's Mint Balls pie, and J McRobb Butchers in Standish.
The champion at this year's awards was a steak and stilton pie from Brockleby's Pies in Melton Mowbray. Meanwhile, Ate Days A Week in Stockport was commended for its Lamb Pie of the Tiger, as was Baldy's Michelle Chicken Carbonara Pie, which secured them a gold medal.
Crown Hawk Green in Stockport also got a nod for its chicken, ham and leek pie, and Cakes Loves Cakes was awarded a Bronze certificate for its meat and potato pie. Leading the pack, HM Pasties won two gold medals for its Joseph Holts Classic pie with Lancashire, cheddar and mozzarella, onion and potato pie, and Joseph Holts steak and ale pie.
Sharing the news on their Instagram page, the team wrote: “We are delighted to say that a couple of our pies have won gold awards this week. We are so very proud of our team again and we will be sharing more details about the pies very soon."
Now in it's 15th year, the British Pie Awards celebrate the nation's most delicious concoctions - from classic pies to innovative and whacky. Over 900 pies were entered into 23 different classes or types of pie including traditional favourites and newcomers such as Vegan and Gluten Free Pies judged by 140 judges.
Other memorable entries in the contest included a marmite and cheese concoction and fusion pies such as Balti Pies, Vindaloo Pies, Kebab Pies, and even Baldy’s ‘Nearly As Good As Mama Joan's Lasagne Pie’. Outside of Manchester, Britain's best Gastropub, The Parkers Arms won gold for its curried mutton and offal pie, while Cheshire Pie Company won silver for its steak concoction, and Treacle Town Pie Company in Macclesfield won bronze for its chicken, pancetta and lemon thyme pie.
Dr Matthew O’Callaghan Chairman of the Awards said; "This is a great celebration of the nation’s favourite food. There were some outstanding pies entered from the Tip of Scotland to the Toe of England.
"The Supreme Champion or ‘Pie of Pies’ was a worthy winner. Called Moo & Blue it was a Beef, Ale and Stilton Pie made by Brockleby’s in Leicestershire."
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