British Pie Week 2026: Celebrating the UK’s National Dish: 2-8 March 2026

British Pie Week 2026: Celebrating the UK’s National Dish: 2-8 March 2026

Whether it’s a savoury masterpiece or a sweet delight, nothing says comfort quite like a proper British pie. Other nations may have given the world pasta, pizza and paella, but British pies remain our secret culinary weapon! So, as we gear up for British Pie Week 2026, it’s time to celebrate this quintessential dish that links back to centuries of tradition.

What Makes British Pie Week so Special?
British Pie Week is a week-long celebration that encourages everyone, from home bakers to professional chefs, to bake, eat, and relish pies in all their glorious forms. Whether it’s a traditional steak and ale pie, a sweet apple pie, or an inventive new fusion creation, British Pie Week allows pie enthusiasts to unite in their love for this comforting dish.

The Great British Pie Awards: Finding “The “Pie of Pies”

The British Pie Awards are held annually in Melton Mowbray during British Pie Week. Judged by industry experts, the competition covers 26 categories, highlighting the versatility of the pie, ranging from traditional recipes to modern, exotic, and vegan creations, with classes including traditional Cornish pasties, Melton Mowbray pork pies, steak and ale, gluten-free and dessert pies.
Pies are judged on their appearance, the quality of their pastry, their filling, and their flavour. There’s also a strict requirement that each pie must be entirely encased in pastry. The title Supreme Champion or the “Pie of Pies,” award goes to the highest-scoring entry.
Winners receive a coveted trophy and certificate, something that often leads to increased sales for independent butchers, bakers, and retailers.

Pie and Mash Shops Don’t Yet Feature in the Categories!
According to digital food encyclopedia TasteAtlas pie and mash ranks at number seven in the top 23 British pies 2026 UK pies – ahead even of staples like steak and kidney and pork pies – revealing that this Cockney classic continues to be held in high esteem across the nation. Despite this Pie and Mash shops are omitted from the British Pie Awards categories.

Fish & Chip Shop Pies get their own category as do Sports Club Pies and Pub Pies. Yet the humble pie and mash – a dish that predates fish and chips and has been feeding Londoners since the 19th century – remains officially uncategorised in Britain’s most prestigious pie competition!
We think this is a glaring omission, which is why we’ve raised the issue with the organisers. We reached out to Dr Matthew O’Callaghan OBE, one of the British Pie Awards founders. We explained that pie and mash shop pies are unique – they can’t be compared to any other category because they’re woven into the very fabric of London’s heritage.

The good news? Dr O’Callaghan has said he will explore adding a Pie & Mash Shop Pie class to the awards. So, fingers crossed and watch this space for further news.

Pie Innovation gets Rewarded
The 2025 British Pie Awards showcased just how far the humble pie has travelled from its medieval origins. The Supreme Champion was a kebab pie from Boghall Butchers in Scotland! This Turkish-tinged triumph, with its “principally chicken, beef and a chilli marinade with a sweet chilli sauce,” represents the modern face of British pie-making. The new fusion category has opened doors for chicken tikka pies, jerk-spiced turkey creations, and even “butternut and Malabar” combinations, showing that Britain’s pie culture is alive, evolving, and embracing our multicultural society.

Looking Forward: Recognition and Celebration for Traditional Pie & Mash
The campaign for pie and mash to receive protected national status is ongoing. Just as Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Cornish Pasties, and Forfar Bridies have gained PGI protection, pie and mash deserves its place among Britain’s protected culinary treasures.
The introduction of National Pie ‘n’ Mash Week shows the growing recognition of this iconic London dish. It acknowledges what we’ve always known at Arments – that pie and mash isn’t just food, its culture, history, and tradition served with a dollop of liquor and a side of nostalgia.
There’s something deliciously defiant about a perfectly crafted pie and mash, served exactly as it has been for over a century.

How to Celebrate British Pie Week 2026
● Bake a Pie: Use this week as the perfect excuse to try a new recipe or bake your family’s favourite
● Host a Pie Party: Invite friends or family for a pie potluck – everyone brings a different type to share
● Visit Local Shops & Bakeries: Support local businesses by buying pies from nearby shops (like Arments!)
● Share on social media: Post pictures of your pie creations using hashtags like #BritishPieWeek2026, #PieLovers, #PerfectPie, and #PieHistory
● Learn Pie History: Dive into Britain’s rich pie-making heritage and discover traditional recipes

Celebrate with Arments
At Arment’s we’ve lived and breathed pies since 1914 – we’ve spent an amazing 112 years perfecting what many reckon is London’s best pie and mash. This British Pie Week, make a stand for tradition. Bring your loved ones to our shop and sample what many consider the best pie and mash in London.

Can’t visit us? Check out our growing network of Licensed Sellers – all trained in the proper art of pie and mash serving.

Visit Arments Pie & Mash Shop during British Pie Week and taste the difference that 112 years of expertise makes. Because when it comes to pie and mash, we don’t just follow tradition – we are the tradition.