The quality of British pies has seen an “immense improvement”, according to Stephen Hallam, judging co-ordinator of the British Pie Awards.

British Baker went along to the eighth annual awards in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, to catch a slice of the action.

A beef and vegetable pasty scooped the top prize of Supreme Champion, made by Cumbrian butcher’s A F Huddleston.

Meanwhile, Essex-based pub The Wheatsheaf won the title of Best Overall Small Producer following its win in the Steak & Ale category.

During the event, we caught up with Hallam, also managing director of pork pie maker Dickinson & Morris, to talk about celebrating British pies and how it feels to be part of the competition.