The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Steaks are high as eyes are all on the main pies
Top bakers and butchers watch on as all manner of baked goods vie for highest honours
The upper crust of the industry descended on Courier Country in a bid to be crowned the world’s best pie maker.
Around 75 of the best bakers and butchers from across the UK and beyond went to the ovens in an attempt to woo the judges at the 21st annual World Scotch Pie Championships, the judging for which took place in Dunfermline.
A team of 50 experts had the enviable task of eating their way through a staggering 459 pastry products spanning 11 categories including steak, macaroni, cold and hot savoury, vegetarian, haggis, apple and football pies, sausage rolls and bridies, with the ultimate accolade going to the best Scotch pie in the world.
From the colour and texture of the crust to the taste of the filling, it was a serious affair as the judges scored each entry as contestants looked on.
Alasdair Smith, chief executive of hosts Scottish Bakers, said the championship had come of age and is regarded as the most prestigious pie competition in the world.
He said: “Today has shown once again that all the pie makers from Scotland and further afield who have taken the time to enter have excelled in the quality, innovation and passion they put into the products they produce for consumers.”
Head judge Ian Nelson said: “How it looks and how it tastes are the two key factors but we also judge on the fullness of filling, the quality of the pastry and, of course, the evenness of the bake. “No one wants a soggy bottom.” Joining the line-up as guest judge was award winning stage and screen actor Scott Kyle, best known for his role in the hit Scottish film The Angel’s Share and television drama series Outlander, who admitted the Scotch pie had been a firm favourite since his childhood.
He said: “As a kid I remember we used to get them after we came out of the swimming baths and it was always something we looked forward too.”
Scott said of the perfect pie: “I’m big on crust – it’s very important, crunchy and not too thick and then a Scotch pie filling has to be full with the use of good mince. We didn’t have much money as a kid so a pie had to be well filled.”
The winner will be announced on January 14.
Things were getting tasty in Fife yesterday as judging for the annual World Scotch Pie Championships got under way. The task facing the judges was enormous, with more than 400 different pastry products from 75 bakeries getting the once over.
Now the all-important taste tests are done, those vying for the top prizes can only cross their fingers and hope ahead of the winners being announced early next year.
Hopefully the wait won’t cause a mass bout of indigestion.