A rabbit, celeriac and red pepper pie was crowned best in class in the Game Pie category at the 2026 British Pie Awards, held in Melton Mowbray.
The entry from Mēs Pies was the only gold award winner in the category sponsored by Eat Game, and it capped a great day for the London-based company, which picked up 11 awards in total.
Their winning pie was the only rabbit pie entered and the fresh flavours and a kick of chilli caught the judges’ imagination and left them wanting more.
The company picked up three gold, five silver and three bronze awards across multiple categories.
“The British Pie Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious competitions in the pie industry, with over a thousand pies judged by leading food experts”, they said.
“To come away with 11 medals, including two class champions, is an incredible honour and a testament to the passion and dedication our team puts into every pie.”
Baldy’s Pies were also in the headlines again, as they picked up a silver award in the Game Pie category for their venison cottage pie and gruyere but also won the main award.
The Wigan-based pie makers were crowned Supreme Champion for their chicken Kiev pie, which pushed the boundaries and offered something a little bit different.
A year ago, their venison pie won gold, and their topping once again caught the judge’s eye.
Their cottage pie was topped with potato, panko breadcrumbs and gruyere, while their chicken Kiev option had a crunchy topping of panko, parsley and a hint of garlic on top of the pastry lid.
As well as looking different, the toppings add another dimension to the pies created by piemaker Alexander Melling.
In total, they have now picked up 25 awards at the British Pie Awards.
Little and Cull, who won the Game Pie category in 2025, also picked up a silver for their premium venison and port deep-fill shortcrust pie.
“The quality of pies entered this year was of a particularly high standard, and while the bulk of them were filled with venison, it was amazing how different each of the fillings tasted,” said Lewis Thornley, BASC regional director, central England, who was part of the judging panel.
“We really were spoilt by the quality of the pies, but the winning one really was special. It was great to see rabbit as the star of the show and the flavours combined so well to create a light and completely moreish pie.”
Results in full
Gold
Rabbit, celeriac and red pepper pie – Mēs Pies
Silver
Venison cottage pie and gruyere pie – Baldy’s Pies
Premium venison and port deep-fill shortcrust pie – Little and Cull
Venison & red wine pie – Stanedge Grange Butchery Ltd
Venison, pheasant & mushroom pie – The Farmers Food Company
Bronze
Venison with red wine – Anton’s Butchers
Highland venison pie – David Comrie and Son
Venison & ale pie – Fuud Ltd
Dartmoor venison with port, cranberries and five spice – The Devon Pie Man
Photos courtesy of Martin Elliot – Mepics
