The Modern Cockney Festival and Speak Cockney Day on the ‘fird of the fird’
Posted on March 3rd, 2025
By Cheryl
Posted on March 10th, 2025
It’s National Pie ‘n’ Mash Week March 10th – 16th, 2025 and we’re celebrating!
March is all about pies! … And more pies! With British Pie Week coming to an end on March the 9th and the start of the second National Pie ‘n’ Mash Week on Monday March 10th!
Pie and Mash Shop Pie not Recognised in British Pie Awards
Whilst recently researching and writing a blog for British Pie Week, we noticed that British Pie Week doesn’t have a category for a Pie and Mash Shop Pie in it’s 26 classes, even though it has a class for Fish & Chip Shop Pie, Social Club Pie and Pub Pie! This was rather surprising as there are many pie and mash shops throughout London, Kent, Essex, Sussex, Suffolk and more. Feeling this should be rectified, we contacted the organisers and spoke to one of the founders, Dr Matthew O’Callaghan OBE. We conveyed our dismay that a Pie & Mash Shop Pie class was missing – especially as the first pie and mash shop was recorded in 1844 – set up by Henry Blanchard at 101 Union Street, SE1 0LQ – which is even earlier than the first recorded fish and chip shop! John Lees is believed to have opened the first fish and chip shop ( a wooden hut) in 1863 at Mossley Market in Lancashire. We explained to Dr O’Callaghan that a pie and mash shop pie is unique and cannot be compared to any other kind of pie, and also, it is woven into the fabric and heritage of London, and is a very British. Since our contact with Dr. O’Callaghan, he has advised us that after this year’s awards, he will raise the suggestion, and explore the feasibility of a Pie & Mash Shop Pie class being added to the British Pie Awards!
National Pie & Mash Week – March 10th – 16th 2025
Following on from British Pie Week we have the second Pie ‘n’ Mash week. This is celebrated within The Modern Cockney Festival. The Modern Cockney Festival is an inclusive group, which aims to keep pie and mash, Cockney roots, heritage and culture alive. They run free events throughout the whole of March to celebrate everything Cockney!
Protected National Status for Pie ‘n’ Mash
Andy Green, the creator of the Modern Cockney Festival and The National Pie ‘n’ Mash Week, is also campaigning to get pie and mash protected National Status in the UK. He has been bringing together pie and mash shop owners to see how we feel about the Protected National Status of Pie and Mash. Our first official meeting was in February this year. In the main, pie shop owners appear to be in favour, providing we can all retain our uniqueness and meet DEFRA’s criteria. Ministers have backed a motion to give pie ‘n’ mash special protected status. In October 2024, the Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, Richard Holden, led a debate at Westminster Hall calling for the Cockney favourite to get Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status.
Pie and Mash lovers who are in favour of Pie ‘n’ Mash obtaining protected national status can sign the petition for National Protected Status here.
Where it all began
So where did this love of pie and mash begin…it began with the Pieman – the early street vendors who in Victorian times would hawk for business on the streets of London, in the taverns, fairs and at the races, with a large tray of pies on top of their head, or strapped to the front of their chest selling pies for a penny (1d). There was one drawback here: The Pieman was often responsible for outbreaks of food poisoning which in those days could be fatal!
Next came the Pie and Mash Shops – or Pie and Eel Houses as they were known back then. These pie and mash shops became very popular with the poor working-class people, particularly providing a good staple nourishing meal for workers and dockers. Quality of the food was much improved upon compared to the days of the Pieman and didn’t kill off the customers, ensuring repeat business. The shops flourished and spread across the East End of London. You can read more about the history of pie and mash and Arments here.
TRADITIONS, MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Pie and Mash Ordering Language – a unique language all of its own!
- One and one – a single, pie and mash
- One and two – a single pie and two mash
- Two and one – two pies and one mash
- Double Double – two pies and two mash
- Combinations of numbers for taking away;
- 8,4 and 4 – translates into 8 pies, 4 mash and 4 liquors!
Liquor made with Eel Juice – The liquor used to be made with the leftover eel juice. However, we have not included eel juice in our liquor in over 45 years. This is due to the decline in eel sales, we do not have sufficient eel juice to make all the liquor we need. Also, with the introduction of allergen awareness, eels are high on the allergen list so it would not be suitable to add even a tablespoon of eel juice to the liquor, leaving everyone to enjoy it.
Pie Crust up or Down?
The big debate! Whichever way you like it, there’s no denying that pie and mash is the ultimate London food – maybe have a double double with one up and one down!
Gravy
Considered a big no no by many pie and mash fans! However, at Arments we do provide gravy (kept under the counter!) for those brave enough to ask and withstand the aghast and stares from other customers!
Mashed Potato
When it comes to pie and mash shop mash, the mash must be made the traditional way! No butter or milk, just fluffy freshly mashed potatoes with a little salt. It is also essential it is served scraped onto the side of the plate with a spatula – no ice cream scoops please!
Vinegar and Pepper
Traditionally malt vinegar, or malt chilli vinegar, is served with pie, mash and eels, together with ground black pepper. Some of you may remember the Pharmacist, Tommy Knight, in Westmoreland Road – he provided the acetic acid for us for years so we could brew our own vinegar.
Fork, Spoon or Knife?
Do you prefer using a fork and spoon when devouring your pie and mash, or are you team knife all the way? According to some long-time fans, the lack of knives at certain establishments during World War I or fights between customers led to this interesting tradition. Whatever the reason, it certainly adds an extra element of charm to the dining experience! We at Arments have lost many a knife and would often buy our own knives back from the stalls at the Sunday market in Westmoreland Road!
Arments Moving with the Times Whilst Retaining Our Roots
While the sawdust on the shop floor is long gone, our standards haven’t changed – but we have moved with the times – our online ordering service and Licensed Seller Scheme have added a new level of convenience – and our traditionally based menu, along with the introduction of our vegan pie, reflect the changing demands and needs of our customers.
Arments Celebrating – Win Free Pie and Mash
We are pleased to be embracing the second National ‘n’ Pie Week! We feel pie and mash truly deserves its place in history, and to mark this wonderful week you have a chance to win free single pie and mash for you and a friend – just visit our business Facebook page and look out for the competition post.
In addition to celebrating National Pie ‘n’ Mash Week, it is our 111th birthday on April 14th so we are celebrating again! We would like to thank you, our customers, old and new, for your continued loyalty…without you we wouldn’t be here!
