Pie restaurants and manufacturers across the country are in the midst of their annual celebrations in the name of British Pie Week.

Running from 2 to 8 March, the week sees a range of activities take place including competitions, special-edition pies and more. It is also host to the British Pie Awards.

There are also a number of trends to look out for this week and beyond when it comes to these pastry-encrusted creations, from breakfast pies to flavoured and coloured pastry.

Here’s what the nation’s pie purveyors are up to:

Higgidy

Savoury pastry brand Higgidy is helping everyone get a piece of the pie this British Pie Week by pledging to match every one of its pies bought in supermarkets across the country with a donation to FareShare. The charity, which helps fight hunger and tackle food waste in the UK, is expected to receive 73,000 pies from the West Sussex-based manufacturer.

“We wanted to do something more meaningful this British Pie Week and give some help to those really in need,” said Higgidy founder Camilla Stephens. “British Pie Week is all about enjoying a classic, wholesome pie – so we’d love the UK to make it all the more heart-warming by grabbing a Higgidy pie, sharing a mealtime with loved ones, and helping to really make a difference.”

Special stickers have been placed on pie packs to flag the charity partnership. It is also being promoted via social media with the hashtag #pieceofthepie.

“Higgidy’s donation of 73,000 tasty and nutritious pies to FareShare is the perfect way to celebrate National Pie Week. These pies will be delivered to frontline charities and community groups, including older people’s lunch clubs, community centres, refuges and homeless hostels,” adds Jo Dyson, head of food at FareShare.

Pukka

Pukka has partnered with brewery Marston’s to create a new Steak & Ale recipe for pie week.

Rolling out across its chilled single portfolio, the recipe uses Marston’s award-winning Pedigree amber ale to create what Pukka describes as a “rich ale flavour in the gravy”, with high-quality chunks of beef encased in golden puff pastry. The change is highlighted by a purple pie foil and purple accent on the front of pack, which are now fully recyclable.

It comes after Pukka unveiled a £5m investment to boost capacity at its Leicestershire bakery.

Turner’s Pies

West Sussex-based Turner’s Pies is donating £1 from every Steak & Cheddar pie sold in its four stores to Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

A £1 donation from every Champion Pie Pack – which consists of four Steak & Cheddar, four Steak & Ale and four Chicken & Ham pies – sold online will also go to the charity.

“We want to give something back to our community and see Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice as so deserving. That is why we are happy to make donations from the sale of pies to contribute to the very worthy work they do for poorly children who need lots of help,” said MD Phil Turner.

It comes as the business gears up for the British Pie Awards, the judging for which takes place today (4 March).

Pieminister

Pies mean prizes at Pieminister this week as it offers everyone who dines in its restaurants the chance to win a whole heap of goodies.

Diners will receive a scratchcard for a chance to win one of the thousands of prizes on offer, from T-shirts to free mashed potato and even a year’s supply of pies.

Charlie Bigham’s

The premium ready meal supplier, which has recently ventured into full-pastry pies, is celebrating British Pie Week by giving back to its staff.

The business has been ramping up production of its full-pastry and ramekin pies over the past few weeks to meet increased shopper demand. It has made sure there is plenty for the Bigham’s team too, with staff in Somerset and London to be treated to a lunch of pies with all the trimmings.

The brand’s head of food, Rupert Willday, will also be taking his extensive pie knowledge and expertise along to the British Pie Awards, where he will have the pleasure of tasting and judging some of the best pies Britain has to offer, to name the 2020 champion.

Piecaramba

Hampshire and Sussex pie restaurant chain Piecaramba asked its customers to get their thinking hats on and invent a pie. The three best were put to an online vote, with the winning dish whipped up by Piecaramba’s chefs.

In true Piecaramba style, all the finalists had pun-tastic names: Camembert & Ernie, Hawaii 5-Woah and Remanded in Mustardy. But it was the vegan Remanded in Mustardy that triumphed. It’s filled with mini onions, vegan bacon bits, leeks and carrots in a vegan cheese & mustard sauce.

Topics