A Chicken Kiev Pie made by Wigan-based Baldy’s Pies has been crowned Supreme Champion at the 18th annual British Pie Awards 2026.
Also the winner of the Chicken & Vegetable/Herb Pie class, the unique creation beat 1,040 entries (a record number for the competition) to take home the crown.
It was described as a “beautifully crafted pie with a pastry lid topping of panko [and] parsley with a hint of garlic which makes the pie so interesting to look at” by the chief judge who added it was filled with “melt in the mouth tender chicken and had a very subtle flavour which did not overpower the natural flavours of the chicken”.
Taking place at the UK’s pie capital – Melton Mowbray – the competition celebrates the nation’s best pies with 26 classes from pork pie to steak & ale, vegan, and even fusion. Category winners included a Wild Boar, Tikka & Apple Pie, a Sunday Roast Chicken Pie, and Beef Bourguignon Deep Fill Shortcrust Pie. M&S’ Our Best Ever Melton Mowbray Pork Pie took the title in the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie class (see full list of class champions below).
The pies are judged on appearance, baking, pastry, and filling by a panel of 187 experts including pie buyers from Tesco and Sainsbury’s, esteemed food writers, and the 2015 Supreme Champion Neil Broomfield.
“The British Pie Awards continue to showcase the remarkable depth of talent, passion and creativity within our baking industry,” said Matthew O’Callaghan, chairman of the Melton Pork Pie Association and host of the British Pie Awards.
“From time-honoured regional recipes to bold and contemporary flavour combinations, this year’s entries demonstrate just how firmly the pie remains at the heart of British food culture. As this year’s Supreme Champion, Baldy’s represents the very pinnacle of craftsmanship and innovation, a true celebration of quality ingredients, skill and dedication.”
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