Upmarket ready meal supplier Charlie Bigham’s has launched a four-strong range of pies.

The company has previously only offered pastry-topped pies, meaning the NPD represents the first time it has offered ones finished in full pastry. They have a shortcrust pastry base and puff pastry lid.

Available exclusively in Waitrose, the pies are priced £4.50 each and take 30 minutes to cook in the oven. The range comprises:

  • Steak & Stilton Pie – British steak with rich, creamy Stilton
  • Steak & Ale Pie – British steak, slow-cooked with ale
  • Roast Chicken, Ham Hock & Leek Pie – roast chicken, ham hock and leeks in a creamy white wine sauce
  • Roast Chicken & Chestnut Mushroom Pie – roast chicken and chestnut mushrooms in a creamy white wine and porcini sauce.

“Pies are a national treasure, which is why we want to give diners the option of choosing between flaky lid pies and proper full pastry pies,” said founder Charlie Bigham.

“At this time of the year, they’re truly the perfect mouthful of food – buttery pastry blended with tender meat, flavoursome vegetables and a rich stock or sauce.”