British Pie Awards are back and open for entries

The awards, which have received support from Heygates Flour Millers, will take place on Wednesday 8th June in Melton Mowbray and are now open for entries. The awards received over 700 pie entries from 125 pie makers from all around Britain last year, and organisers expect an even bigger number this year. Pies, which need to be commercially available to enter, will be judged by pie experts, food writers and celebrity bakers and chefs. Paul Moony, production manager and associate director from Arthur Chatwin bakery, commented on the awards: "Winning the Award for our Steak Pasty proved to be a great springboard for the product. We received great coverage in our local press and that has helped the product to become one of our best sellers." Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, Matthew O'Callaghan, added: "As organisers and hosts of the British Pie Awards we were thrilled at the success we had in the first two years and we are confident that 2011 will continue to be a great event every Pie maker should participate in. "These Awards are the crème de la crème of the Pie industry regardless the size, and for that reason we have introduced the Special Award category that this year is aimed at small producers to ensure we have a good representation of the best produce from across the country. "From the feedback we received from the numerous entrants we know the value the Awards have added to businesses, small and large, and we hope this year's entrants will raise the standards of British pies even higher." For companies interested in entering the Awards, please visit www.britishpieawards.co.uk or email Sarah Clothier on sarah.clothier@mmppa.co.uk