An increasing number of bakers have entered this year’s World Scotch Pie Championships as it celebrates a record number of entries.

The competition, which aims to find the best in sausage rolls, bridies, steak, vegetarian and fish pies, has received 89 entries, 35 of which are bakeries.

Alan Stuart of Stuart’s of Buckhaven and the competition’s organiser, said: “We’ve been surprised at the amount of entries this year. We thought that, with the downturn, a lot of bakers would not feel it is worth their time. But it’s a great way to generate business, and producing the highest-quality savoury and baked products is really gratifying.”

Twenty-six judges, including BBC Masterchef winner Gerry Goldwyre, will taste around 440 products in total and competitors will have to beat last year’s winner and baker, Maurice Irvine of Beith, Ayrshire.

“The bakers have won it more times than the butchers in the championship’s 13-year stint, which could be put down to their pastry skills,” added Stuart. “But they face stiff competition from the butchers and their ability to produce good, flavoursome fillings.”

Judging will take place from 12.30pm on 15 November at Carnegie College, Dunfermline, with the results announced at a special awards lunch at the same location on 5 January 2012.