Perfect pies scoop prizes
A pie made by a Stirling butcher has proved a winner.
The chicken and smoked ham hough offering from Hugh Black and Sons, Port Street, was judged best in the country and won the diamond award in the Scottish Craft Butchers savoury pastry products awards, 2018.
The butcher also secured two gold awards for their Scotch pies and steak and haggis pies and lifted silver awards for their bridies, handheld steak pies and chicken Madras curry pies.
The shop is one of a chain of 12 shops throughout the central belt and Fife.
Delighted partner Craig Black said the diamond award -winning pie was one of their new premium pie range recipes launched recently.
He said:“We produce thousands of pastry products every week - over 2,500 Scotch pies alone - and the premium range is already selling well.
“A national industry endorsement will undoubtedly increase demand for the award-winning products.”
Factory manager and product development chief, Willie Kemp, devised the new recipes and is thrilled with the success of his chicken pie.
“We have our own abattoir and bakery so we know the provenance and quality of all our ingredients,”he said.“I create a sauce and meat combination that I know will work and then we taste test it with staff and customers.”
Also among the winners was Blair Drummond Smiddy which earned a gold award for its Scotch pies and sausage rolls. The popular visitor destination also secured a silver award for their stove pies.