The Bell Hotel & Pie Shop in Winslow is celebrating after they took top spot in the Game and Speciality Category at the British Pie Awards.
Their game pie won a gold award and beat off stiff competition, from a record number 53 entries, at the event in Melton Mowbray.
As category sponsors, we were also on the judging panel, and joined by some very esteemed names including Eat Game ambassador Rachel Green, the head of the royal household Mark Flanagan and cricket commentary royalty Jonathan Agnew.
Annette Woolcock, Head of Wild Food at BASC (pictured with the winners above), said: “It was another fantastic event, expertly run by the team at the British Pie Awards.
“Every year we are getting more and more entries into the category and that is just another example of the increased demand for game meat which is absolutely fantastic.
“It was also good to see different flavour combinations being used and so many new names entering, as well as those who have been championing game for years.”
The winners impressed the judges with not only their well-cooked pastry and super tasty filling, but also the addition of quail’s eggs, which proved to be a popular and surprising addition.
Speaking after taking top spot owner Philip Menday said: ”We are delighted to have won the Game Pie at this year’s event and privileged to even be able to enter.
“It is complete testament to our pie maker – Dhel – for all her hard work and creativity, she is always full of new ideas, and it is great to see that being rewarded.”
Full list of winners
Gold
The Bell Hotel & Pie Shop – The Bell’s Game Pie
Silver
Boghall Butchers – Duck with black cherries and kirsch
David Comrie & Son – Highland venison pie
Inn Collection Group – Slow cooked venison pie with bacon & prunes
Kevin’s Pies – Game pie
MUD Foods – Mud Foods’ pulled pork in sticky BBQ sauce
Truly Traceable Venison & Game Pies – Homemade pheasant & chestnut pie
Bronze
Albion Pies – Albion Pies venison, port & stilton pie
Dane Stream Farm Shop – Turkey, bacon and leek pie with sage pastry
Drake & Macefield – Venison, mushroom & red wine
Paul’s Proper British Pies – Pheasant, bacon & black pudding
Phat Pasty Co – Phat gluten free wild boar, apple & cider pie
Tailormade Bakery and Kitchen – Game suet pudding pie
Truly Traceable Venison & Game Pies – Homemade venison & Suffolk ale pie.
Photos courtesy of Mepics Photography