Premium pie maker Pieminister has entered the free-from market with the introduction of two gluten-free pies.

Gluten-free versions of the restaurant chain’s Heidi (goat’s cheese and spinach) and Moo Classic (beef and ale) pies have gone on sale at its original Stokes Croft, Bristol site. The company said it planned to distribute them nationwide in the near future.

The pies have already received praise after the Gluten Free Heidi won the free-from category at the recent British Pie Awards. The Gluten Free Moo pie also performed well within the category, winning one of the two runner-up spots.

Jon Simon, Pieminister co-founder, said: “We’ve been working hard to perfect a gluten-free pastry for some time and these accolades from the British Pie Awards are proof that it was worth taking the time to get the recipe absolutely right.

“Our famous Heidi and Moo Classics are two of the most popular pies we make, so it made sense to adapt the recipes from both to create gluten-free versions; now, the growing number of people in Britain who avoid gluten and wheat in their diet can enjoy the ultimate Pieminister pie experience too.”

Pieminister recently expanded its vegetarian range to five with its Saag Pie-Neer pie.