THE BRITISH PIE AWARDS 2010 - sponsored by Colman’s
Issue date: May 2010
St Mary’s Church in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, was truly a sight to behold, a marriage made in heaven some might say, over 700 pies adorning this magnificent establishment. From the church entrance all the way to the altar, we were truly blessed!
Over 60 judges were in attendance this year; along with a smorgasbord of food experts we welcomed Celebrity Chefs Phil Vickery, Rosemary Shrager and Rachel Green.
“What a fantastic day and what a veritable feast of pies”, says Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, organisers of the event. “We were overwhelmed at the number of entries this year and the quality of the produce has been unbelievable, thank you to all of the bakers and butchers from our green and pleasant land for producing such perfect pies, all worthy of the much coveted title”.
After great deliberation the trophy for the Supreme Champion, Pie of Pies, was awarded to a Pork, Chicken and Ham Pie produced by Walkers Charnwood Bakery for Waitrose.
Colman’s sponsored this year’s event and we were lucky enough to feel and taste their presence at the awards today. The heritage of Colman’s products and iconic branding are world-renowned, and their mustards, defined by their taste and strength, have been giving everyday British food a tasty kick since 1814.
Class 1 - Melton Mowbray Pork Pie
(Winner - Walkers Charnwood Bakery produced for Tesco)
Class 2 - Pork Pie
(Winner - Walkers Charnwood Bakery, Henry Walker Large Pork Pie)
Class 3 - Steak & Kidney Pie
(Winner - Peters Food Service)
Class 4 - Savoury Pie (Hot)
(Winner - Devilish Desserts - Steak & Ale Pie)
Class 5 - Savoury Pie (Cold)
(Winner - Walkers Charnwood Bakery - Pork, Chicken & Ham Pie produced for Waitrose)
Class 6 - Fish Pie
(Winner - Boghall Butchers - Cod & White Wine Pie)
Class 7 - Vegetarian Pie
(Winner - Boghall Butchers - Vegetarian Haggis Pie)
Class 8 - Cornish Pasty
(Winner - Proper Cornish Food Company)
Class 9 - Other Pasty
(Winner - Arthur Chatwin Limited - Steak Pasty)
Class 10 - British Apple Pie
(Winner - Northfield Farm, Bramley & Cox Apple)
Class 11 - Other Dessert Pie
(Winner - Brockleby's - Fruits of the Forest)
Class 12 - Football Pie
(Winner - J W Mettrick & Son - Steak & Potato Pie for Glossop North End)
Class 13 - Radio Pie
(Winner - Indigo 106 FM - Dales Butchers - Pork & Damson Pie)
For details of all award winners visit www.britishpieawards.co.uk
Next year’s awards will be held on 19th April in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson / Laura Medel
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900 / 07880 621 661
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
laura@geometrypr.co.uk
STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE ASSOCIATION BY MATTHEW O’CALLAGHAN, CHAIRMAN
Issue date: April 2010
“The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association (MMPPA) has applied for a minor change to clarify the ingredients permitted in the production of Melton Mowbray Pork Pies. These include the use of egg or milk to glaze the pies, a process used by a number of producers. The amended specification would permit the use of potato starch, breadcrumbs or rusk in small quantities during the production process; ingredients which have been used for many years in the production of pork pies. The addition of these ingredients does not compromise the minimum meat content which our pies are required to contain.
“The PGI protection that has been granted assures the consumer that an authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is made to a traditional recipe with a high content of fresh, uncured pork, is baked in the traditional manner to create the famous bow shaped appearance and is made in the defined geographical area.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is one of three designations introduced by the European Commission in 1993, to protect the integrity and reputation of agricultural products or foodstuffs having an identified geographical origin.
The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie was awarded PGI status in 2008 and the final administrative steps were completed in June 2009.
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson / Laura Medel
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
laura@geometrypr.co.uk
REACHING FOR THE PIES!
WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN THE FIRST-EVER BRITISH PIE AWARDS
Issue date: April 2009
In a tense and closely-fought contest, Sainsbury’s Melton Mowbray Pork Pie produced by Walker’s Charnwood Bakery, was declared the ‘Pie of Pies’, the Supreme Champion in the first-ever British Pie Awards held in the splendid setting of St Mary’s Church Melton Mowbray, Tuesday 21 April 2009, beating off more than 500 rivals.
Winning £1000 and a weekend at Stapleford Park, Ian Heircock, Master Pie-maker of Walker’s Charnwood Bakery said, “We are really delighted to have won, it means a lot to have our pie acknowledged by such an expert panel of judges.”
The winner was announced to an audience of dignitaries, celebrities and pie-makers by Sheila Dillon, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Food Programme.
The pies were blessed by the Rector of St Mary’s, the Revd. Peter Hooper, and TV chef Rachel Green read an ‘Ode to Pies’, specially commissioned from BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter Judy Theobald.
Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, which hosted the Awards, said; “With over 500 entrants, from the Highlands of Scotland to the Coasts of Cornwall, the Awards showed the craftsmanship of Britain’s bakers and butchers and their passion for pies; our unique contribution to world food.”
With 12 classes of pie, including a Football Pie class (entered by clubs such as Everton, Aston Villa, Celtic, Rangers – and Accrington Stanley), 511 pies were entered. To qualify as pie, the entry had to be fully encased in pastry, and also be in commercial production. Each class has a Winner, with Gold, Silver and Bronze awards (see below for details).
The prestigious line up of judges included Ed Bedington, editor of Meat Trades Journal, Angela Boggiano, Food Editor for Delicious magazine, Xanthe Clay, food writer from The Daily Telegraph, Sophie Conran, author of Sophie Conran’s Pies, Tamasin Day-Lewis, author of Queen of Tarts, Sheila Dillon, presenter of The Food Programme, Radio 4, TV chef Rachel Green, Sylvia Macdonald, editor of British Baker, Simon Majumdar, co-writer of food blog Dos Hermanos and TV Chef Phil Vickery.
Sponsored by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association and Food from Britain with support from Sysonby Knoll Hotel and Stapleford Park Country House Hotel.
| British Pie Awards 2009 - Results | |
|---|---|
| Class | Champion |
| Melton Mowbray Pork Pie | Sainsbury's Melton Mowbray Pork Pie produced by Walker's Charnwood Bakery |
| Pork Pie | Dickinson & Morris 6 pack mini Melton Mowbray Pork Pie |
| Steak and Kidney | Mrs King's Pies |
| Savoury Hot | Learmonth Butchers - Chicken, Haggis and Peppercorn |
| Savoury Cold | Dickinson and Morris - Game Pie |
| Fish Pie | Boghall Butchers - Cod with White Wine |
| Vegetarian | Pieminister - Heidi |
| Cornish Pasty | Chunk of Devon |
| Other Pasty | Brockleby's - Poacher's Game |
| British Apple Pie | Stuart's of Buckhaven |
| Other Dessert Pie | Tesco's Cherry Pie produced by Kensey Foods |
| Football Pie | Clachnacuddin FC by MacDougall and Hastie Butchers |
| Champion of Champion | Sainsbury's Melton Mowbray Pork Pie |
| Runner Up | Dickinson and Morris - Game Pie |
| Presenter's Choice | Dickinson and Morris - Game Pie |
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson / Laura Medel
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900 / 07880 621 661
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
laura@geometrypr.co.uk
MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIES TO GAIN
PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION STATUS
Issue date: October 2008
Melton Mowbray Pork Pies will be officially granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Following news in April 2008 that the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie had been registered in the Official European Union Journal, the European Commission set a deadline of 4th October 08 for objections to be received from other member states. No objections were received, meaning that during the course of the next few months Melton Mowbray Pork Pie will join the other 34 UK products registered under the European Protected scheme.
As a protected product, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies will only be labelled as such if they are made using the correct ingredients in the traditional manner and importantly, in a designated area around the Leicestershire town of Melton Mowbray. Work on the application for PGI status was originally started by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association (MMPPA) in 1998 to preserve the art of making a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie and to stop a growing number of producers cashing in on the commercial value of the Melton Mowbray name by simply labelling generic products as such and charging a higher price.
County Councillor for Melton Mowbray and Chairman of the Association, Matthew O’Callaghan, comments:
“October 4th was the final hurdle and since no other member states have objected to the application we are absolutely delighted that Melton Mowbray Pork Pies will now become a European protected product. It has been a very long battle to gain PGI status which essentially safeguards our heritage, protects our local jobs and gives the consumers assurance that what they are buying is the genuine product. It is important for regional delicacies such as the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie to be protected in such a way to stop others trading off the name and reputation of the product. I hope that this news will encourage other regional producers to follow suit and seek the recognition they deserve.”
A Melton Mowbray Pork Pie has high meat content of at least 30%, uses fresh uncured pork which is naturally grey in colour when cooked and is baked unsupported without the use of a tin or hoop which gives it the famous bow shaped appearance. The result of this application will put Melton Mowbray Pork Pies on a par with Champagne and Parma Ham. Other products in the UK that enjoy protected geographical status include Arbroath Smokies, Cornish Clotted Cream, Welsh Lamb and Scottish Farmed Salmon.
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson / Laura Medel
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900 / 07880 621 661
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
laura@geometrypr.co.uk
PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATOR FOR
MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIES
Issue date: 4 April 2008
The Melton Mowbray pork pie is to be registered as a protected product by receiving the protected geographical status (PGI) by the European Commission. The Commission has today (04.04.08) published details of the registration in the Official European Union Journal. This will allow only authentic makers of the pies to use the term ‘Melton Mowbray’ in the branding and marketing of their products.
The application for PGI status was originally submitted by a small group of authentic pork pie makers, known as The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association (MMPPA), to preserve the art of making a Melton Mowbray pork pie and to stop a growing number of producers cashing in on the commercial value of the Melton Mowbray name by simply labelling generic products and charging a higher price.
Over the last ten years the application has gathered significant public backing with thousands of people signing a petition and sending letters of support. Local Melton Mowbray Councillor and Chairman of the Association, Matthew O’Callaghan has led the campaign and firmly believes that the PGI status will have immediate economic and consumer benefit.
He comments; “The award of PGI for Melton Mowbray pork pies safeguards our regional food heritage, protects our local jobs and gives the consumer value for money. Fundamentally, it stops people using the name and reputation of Melton Mowbray for commercial gain alone and ensures that the market is not devalued. This is not about creating artificial barriers or preventing competitiveness within domestic markets, in fact it’s the opposite, it’s about encouraging investment in local economies as well as protecting the consumer. I don’t think it unreasonable to ask companies to honestly label their products so that a product’s level of quality, recipe and origin are guaranteed for consumers. I hope that this move encourages other regional producers to seek the recognition they deserve for their distinctive products. This is good news for all regional foods in Britain, they now have a bright future ahead of them.”
A Melton Mowbray Pork Pie has high meat content, uses fresh uncured pork which is grey in colour and is baked unsupported without the use of a hoop which gives it an unmistakeable saggy, bow shaped appearance. The easiest way to tell if you have been sold a genuine Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is to unwrap it and cut it open.
Following the European Commission’s procedures, if no objections are received by 4th October from other member states – no objections are now permitted from within the UK – the product will join the other 34 UK products registered under the European Protected scheme. Melton Mowbray pork pies will then only be labelled as such if they are made in a traditional manner, to an age-old recipe and importantly, in the vicinity of the Leicestershire town Melton Mowbray.
The application, which has taken ten years of research and preparation, puts Melton Mowbray Pork Pies on a par with Champagne and Parma Ham. Other products in the UK that enjoy protected geographical status include Arbroath Smokies, Cornish Clotted Cream, Welsh Lamb and Scottish Farmed Salmon.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The battle to protect the Melton Mowbray pork pie has taken over 10 years and has seen both the Government and the MMPPA in the High Court and the Court of Appeal with a referral to the European Court of Justice. All legal challenges to protection have now ended and previous objector Pork Farms (previously part of Northern Foods who raised the legal challenge) is now associate member of the MMPPA. Most of the supermarkets have now removed non-compliant pies and only sell pies made in the Melton Mowbray designated area.
The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association (MMPPA) represents the interests of the following authentic pork pie makers: F Bailey & Son, Chapells, Dickinson & Morris, Mrs Elizabeth King Ltd, Nelsons, Patrick Butchers, Brockeby’s and Walkers Charnwood Bakery.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is one of three designations introduced by the European Commission in 1993, to protect the integrity and reputation of agricultural products or foodstuffs having an identified geographical origin.
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson / Laura Medel
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900 / 07880 621 661
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
laura@geometrypr.co.uk
STATEMENT: MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE ASSOCIATION
NORTHERN FOODS WITHDRAWS LEGAL ACTION
Issue date: 4 Nov 2006
We are delighted that Northern Foods have finally bowed to the inevitable and have withdrawn their legal action against protecting the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. Our campaign to register the pie has always been about ensuring consumers are not misled when they buy a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. Authentic pies are made with the correct ingredients (fresh pork so that they are grey inside, not pink), are made in the correct manner (baked free standing so they are bow sided) and are made in and around Melton Mowbray.
This week we responded positively to the three minor observations the European Commission made about our application, so we are confident that shortly the Commission will recommend legal protection for the Pie.
We have always accepted that there may have to be a short period of transition for manufacturers to switch production into the Melton Mowbray Area. This area now includes Nottingham where Northern has a pastry site. If they do move then we would welcome an application from them to join the Association. Last Thursday we accepted into the Association our newest member, a small producer who we helped establish their pork pie business including the loan of one of our bakers.
This is a good day for British Regional Foods and hopefully an end to this costly and unnecessary legal battle.
Dr Matthew O’Callaghan
Chairman, MMPPA
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
Click here for the contact details of the MMPPA.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM MATTHEW O’CALLAGHAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE ASSOCIATION
Issue date: 14 March 2006
Today, (14.3.06) the Appeal Court has asked for advice from the European Court of Justice over an issue central for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association’s application to achieve Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie. This decision follows an oral hearing at the Appeal Court brought by the Application’s main objector Northern Foods. The referral to the ECJ means that it could take a further 18 months to two years before the case returns to the Appeal Court. Meanwhile the application will continue to be considered by the European Commission but any enforcement would have to wait until after the ECJ ruling is heard.
Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, comments; “We welcome the Appeal Court’s decision to refer this matter to the European Court of Justice for clarity. Northern Foods is appealing to have a novel interpretation of the Regulations enforced, an interpretation with which we do not agree. The Appeal Court’s decision then to ask for a ruling on a legal interpretation is a wise one and does not indicate that it is in support of Northern’s legal challenge. Our interpretation can now be confirmed by the ECJ and we are happy that in the long run we will eventually see this matter clarified once and for all. We are not surprised by today’s outcome as we have known for some time that Northern Foods wanted to find a way to take the matter to Europe. The referral to the ECJ has speeded up the process which is of benefit to all parties involved. We are still very confident that we will get the right decision for our application in the end.
“The implications of the ECJ ruling on this issue may affect other famous European protected products.”
ENDS
Matthew O’Callaghan can be contacted for interview on telephone 0771 706 2887. Background to the application can be found on www.mmppa.co.uk.
For further press information please contact:
Linda Donaldson
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
Click here for the contact details of the MMPPA.
Notes to editors
Members of the MMPPA - Mark Patrick Butchers of Birstall, Dickinson & Morris of Melton Mowbray, Charnwood Bakery of Leicester, Nelsons of Stamford, Chappells of Wigston, Elizabeth King of Cotgrave, FW Bailey & Son of Upper Broughton, Brocklebys Farm Shop of Melton Mowbray.
EU Regulations 2081/92 & 2082/92 published in Official Journal Ref No: L208 July 2002 created three classifications of protection for food products; Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographic Indication (PGI), Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)
Northern Foods is a Leeds-based food manufacturer with a turnover of £1.4bn. It produces pies of various recipes labelled as “Melton Mowbray Pork Pies” from factories in Wiltshire and Shropshire. Northern Foods has a 60% share of the £160m pork pie market.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM MATTHEW O’CALLAGHAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE ASSOCIATION
Issue date: 19 January 2006
Response to Northern Foods' appeal on the PGI application for Melton Mowbray Pork Pies
“We are disappointed that Northern Foods is attempting to appeal against Mr Justice Crane’s ruling in the High Court’s to support our application, especially when he specifically refused Northern’s leave to appeal in his judgement.
“Northern still remains a major player since it has a 60% share of the overall UK pork pie market’ worth around £160m, of which Melton Mowbray pies business comprise around a third. There is nothing to stop Northern Foods making pork pies to the proper recipe or switching production to its factory within the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Area. Since we started this process, three new applicants have joined the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association.
“Our application is a genuine attempt to preserve our regional food heritage and safeguard the traditional recipe and art of making a Melton Mowbray pork pie. This is not about creating artificial barriers or preventing competitiveness within domestic markets in fact it’s the opposite, it’s about encouraging investment in local economies as well as protecting the consumer. We don’t believe it is unreasonable to ask companies to honestly label their products so that the consumer is guaranteed a level of quality, recipe and origin when they purchase them.
“All we are trying to do is protect our heritage, and our jobs. Equally as important is protecting the consumer so that when they buy a Melton Mowbray Pork Pie they know they are getting the authentic article. Put simply we want products to be fairly labelled and honestly marketed otherwise traditional producers are not able to compete on a level playing field. Anyone can sell Melton Mowbray pork pies as long as they make them in the traditional manner and of course in the vicinity of Melton Mowbray.
“If Northern Foods do get leave to appeal then we will fight this all the way to the European Courts if necessary.”
ENDS
Further press information and interviews can be obtained from:
Linda Donaldson
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
Click here for the contact details of the MMPPA.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM MATTHEW O’CALLAGHAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE MELTON MOWBRAY PORK PIE ASSOCIATION
Issue date: 21 December 2005
Today, (21.12.05) the High Court has ruled that an application to achieve Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is to be supported. Mr. Justice Crane’s decision follows a judicial review brought against DEFRA by Northern Foods, and supports an earlier decision by DEFRA to back the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association’s application. The PGI Application will continue to be scrutinised by the European Commission for its final approval, due next summer.
Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, comments: “The High Court’s decision today sends a positive signal to other regional food producers and may well encourage more applications to be made to preserve Britain’s rich food heritage.
“We have been working on protecting the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie through PGI status since 1998, and have gained considerable support from the general public. During this time the application has undergone an extremely long and rigorous analysis by DEFRA, which has consulted widely on the application. The Association has made every effort to allow interested parties, including Northern Foods, complete visibility of the application and as much opportunity as possible to comment on it throughout, and has even accommodated many of these comments in an amended application. We are delighted, therefore, that Mr. Justice Crane’s ruling leaves no room for doubt that DEFRA has acted entirely properly in supporting the Application, and that the Judicial Review has failed. I would like to thank DEFRA and our legal teams for their hard work in defeating this latest attempt to delay protection for our world-famous pie.
“In our view, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is important and unique. Protected Geographical Indicator status would protect the reputation and authenticity of our Pork Pie, and would give a guarantee to the consumer that if it says “Melton Mowbray” on the label then it really has been made in our region to a high quality and to the traditional recipe. The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association is grateful to DEFRA for supporting this view and for holding their ground against this legal challenge – it is important for the protection of traditional, regional foods that applications like ours should not be defeated merely by the threat of legal action from large manufacturers. If Northern Foods seeks to appeal today’s very clear judgement against them, then the Association will continue to fight the case all the way to the European Courts if necessary.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Members of the MMPPA - Mark Patrick Butchers of Birstall, Dickinson & Morris of Melton Mowbray, Charnwood Bakery of Leicester, Nelsons of Stamford, Chappells of Wigston, Elizabeth King of Cotgrave, FW Bailey & Son of Upper Broughton
EU Regulations 2081/92 & 2082/92 published in Official Journal Ref No: L208 July 2002 created three classifications of protection for food products; Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographic Indication (PGI), Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG)
Further press information and interviews can be obtained from:
Linda Donaldson
Geometry PR
Tel: +44 (0)117 929 1900
linda@geometrypr.co.uk
Click here for the contact details of the MMPPA.
