Westwell’s Meat and Potato Pie (RIP)
The sad part about refreshing my database, as I continue to collate my new book, is finding out that so many fine, traditional bakers have fallen by the wayside. Sure, new entrants have come along. Lockdown, in particular, for all it’s drawbacks, has given lots of people the chance to seize an opportunity that they might never have taken, to
Ginger Butchers Traditional Pork Pie
Happy New Year! I found myself in Bakewell with family over the festive season, of course the kids wanted to bring back some Bakewell Tarts. No, not Bakewell puddings and I know that is sacrilege in local circles. I picked up a couple of pies, to be reviewed later but also on our mini tour de Bakewell (toy shop, sweet
Asda Extra Special Steak and Ale Pie
Or to give it it's full title, the Asda Extra Special Aberdeen Angus Steak and Black Sheep Ale pie. We can only hope that the pie as much of a mouthful as it's name. Now, I had no real desire to pick up a pie from Asda as part of my official research but this looked highly visually appealing and
Introducing the Life of Pies book
If you are reading this page, there’s a chance you have an interest in pies. You might also be looking forward to the forthcoming publication of the Good Pie Guide, which will feature over 1,000 great places across the country where you can buy a pie. (best guess late next year or early 2023, it seems a while off but
The Pie Mill Blencathra Beef in Ale Pie
This was another pie, picked up for me by my good mate Paul, which was procured from the superlative Tebay Farm Shop. Their range of pies is truly impressive and you will have to check out their website to get the full experience here. Suffice to say, that many of the ingredients are sourced locally in the Lakes, or bear
Burchall’s Pork Pie
I recently found myself in St Helens (not in that sense) and with a rumbling tummy, it felt like there was only one place to divert myself towards. Burchall’s produce one of the best pork pies in the North West, if not the country (they came joint top in Life of Pies, sharing the spoils with Hopkins of Birkenshaw and
Clapham’s Meat and Potato Pie
I recently found myself running a relative to Leigh Infirmary for a hospital appointment, one that would require a bit of wait time. Well, what is there to do in Leigh with said wait time? I suppose a man’s got to eat for a start….. I have tried out quite a few pie shops in Leigh and the surrounding areas
Walker’s Steak and Ale Pie crisps
Walkers Steak & Ale Pie-nalty flavour crisps I bought these a while ago and was that underwhelmed that I never bothered to pass on this information. My guess is I bought them in June to coincide with the Champions League final, given the branding I like crisps almost as much as I like pies, beer and hot curries, so I
Brockleby’s Northerner Meat and Potato Pie
After our recent pie judging trip to Melton Mowbray, we decided to see what else the town has to offer in pie form, in addition to the "famous" Dickinson & Morris pork pie. There are several other independent pie makers in the town, and two of them in particular, are very highly regarded in their own right. Myself, and my
The Crusty Cob Meat and Potato Pie (RIP)
Sadly, this is one from the archives, from a place that is no more, yet it was one of the favourite pies I had whilst on my previous mission. They were another Maurice Twomowers recommendation, similar to Slatterys but of the four pies I had that day, this was by far the best. Sadly, the Crusty Cob ceased trading a
Murray’s Butchers Steak Pie
My mate, Paul aka Northern Casual found himself in Glasgow again recently. I received the following message: “I’m going to a butchers/deli nearby, on their website it says they sell homemade steak pies so if they’ve got some in, do you want some to try?” Is there ever likely to be a negative answer to this question from your correspondent
Judging at the 2021 British Pie Awards
It was once again a pleasure to attend the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray this week. The previous awards were held in March 2020, just a matter of days before the country plunged into the first of several lockdowns and the world changed for bakers, and indeed most people, everywhere. This year’s event was moved from March to September