British Pie Week is Coming!


Posted on March 1st, 2016

British Pie Week – let’s celebrate this great British classic!arments-british-pie-week-2015-2

It’s official! We’re a nation of pie fanatics. Recent research reveals that 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month, the UK’s favourite pie fillings being steak and kidney, followed by steak and ale. So it’s not surprising that British Pie Week has become a regular fixture fora chance to everyone around the country to celebrate the art of pie-making, as well as enjoy eating delicious pies.

British Pie Week has been running for nine years and this year it’s due to take place on 7th to 13th March. Founded by pastry manufacturer Jus-Rol, the hunt is once again on to find Britain’s best pie. Get your free British Pie Week Recipe book from Jus-Rol here!

The British Pie Awards

As well as a host of events taking place across the UK British Pie Week the annual British Pie Awards are held this week. This event brings hundreds of pastry connoisseurs together from all over the UK to celebrate the venerable institution of pie-making.

The Awards will take place on Wednesday 9th March in Melton Mowbray with competitors from all across the nation bringing along their entries for the opportunity to win a prestigious British Pie Award. This year as a new add-on to the competition there will be a Festival of Pies too, to be held on 12th March in Melton Mowbray town centre. This is where lucky members of the public can taste and buy some of the prize-winning pies. To find out more about the event click here.

Stats about the Pie Awards

Launched in 2009 the Pie Awards have now featured 829 entrants and 5359 pies have been judged to date. The awards are open to all producers of pies sold commercially across the UK however most of the entrants (75%) are small businesses.

Classes of entry include pork pies, steak and kidney pies, beef and any combination pies, beef and ale pies, meat and potatoe, lamb, chicken, savoury, fish and vegetarian pies. There’s also an entry for best pastry and dessert pie, pub pies, football pie (sold to football clubs), ‘free from’ pies and ‘truly regal’ pies, a new category for 2016 which aims to find a pie fit for her majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Returning as Head Judge is Ian Nelson from Hovis along with numerous other judges selected for their pie expertise

Pies must be wholly encased in pastry

 

SteakandkidneypieTo enter, pies must comprise “a filling totally and wholly encased in pastry”. This is an essential criterion, especially considering the strength of feeling regarding what ‘is’ and ‘isn’t’ considered a pie.

Recently one infuriated UK citizen started up a government petition to try to ensure that “wrongly describing a casserole with a pastry lid is a criminal offence”.

The petition received 5000 signatures (95,000 short of the 100,000 required to get the attention of parliament) but nevertheless – highlighting the strength of feeling around having pastry around a pie!

 

 

 

A Whole week devoted to pies!postalpiesopen-copywhite-300x300

British Pie Week, the Awards and the Festival are all geared towards celebrating the heritage of this truly delicious national favourite food, as well as promote and protect regional varieties, and support British produce.

Arments will be playing their part in British Pie Week by continuing to serve traditional pie and mash made from a recipe that hasn’t changed in over 100 years.  Look out for our special offer running next week to celebrate this great occasion for all British Pies!

Make sure you put the 7th to the 13th March in your diary and celebrate British Pie Week at our pie shop on Westmoreland Road.   Or why not buy a batch online and have them delivered direct to your door for your very own British Pie Week party? To keep up with the latest news check out #BritishPieWeek.

 



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