Murrays Bakers were crowned World Scotch Pie Champion 2015 yesterday.
As a judge at the tastings last year, we were honoured to be at the Awards Luncheon when we would find out who won the coveted top award.
The World Scotch Pie Champion 2015
In order to win, The World Scotch Pie Champion 2015, the product faced
· A record 567 products were entered this year
· By nearly 100 of the nation’s best butchers and bakers
· Judged by 50 experts, and Bay City Roller Les McKeown
· 10 category winners selected
· But only ONE World Champion Scotch Pie
Following the busiest judging day ever with a record entry of 100 butchers and bakers entering some 567 pies, pasties, sausage rolls, bridies, savouries and apple pies into the competition and with some 300 hopefuls attending the awards luncheon in Cumbernauld, Murrays Bakers of Perth can truly be proud to have produced the best Scotch Pie in the land.
Winner! Linda Hill of Murrays Bakers
Linda Hill of Murrays Bakers said “I am delighted! To have been given the ultimate accolade and to be able to call our pie the WORLD CHAMPION as judged by a panel of experts is just fantastic. This award is proof that the Murrays team is the best in the land. I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to selling more of our winning pies than ever.”
Linda of Murrays Bakers receives her award
“The competition, which has run for 16 years, aims to highlight that bakers and butchers create high quality artisan pastry products. Recognising the “great and the good” in this way rewards excellence and raises the bar in the industry” says head judge Robert Ross who has, for many years now, overseen the judging process to ensure only the best pies are recognised and that only the best of the best is crowned world champion.
After many years of exceptional service to the bakery industry in Scotland and having overseen the World Scotch Pie Championships since its inception, Robert Ross has announced that he is to retire as Head Judge for the competition.
Piping in the pie!
Alan Clarke of Scottish Bakers, said “Once again we have brought together the best pies and baked goods in the land and today we can really celebrate the achievement of our hard working butchers and bakers. My heartfelt congratulations go to our winner, and indeed everyone today taking away a prize, they are all winners in my book.”
The competition is supported by Scottish Bakers and the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders. Both trade associations actively support and promote bakers and butchers in Scotland by encouraging and sharing best practice. Alan Clarke and Douglas Scott, respective Chief Executives of both Associations were impressed with the overall standard of the products and gave thanks to Bako Northern and Scotland who have sponsored the competition.
Of course, we’d have to review the food!
Awards brochure
The World Scotch Pie Championship 2015 Luncheon Menu
Broth with rolls supplied by Brownings the Bakers, Kilmarnock
Veggie broth with chewy and fluffy rolls.
2014 winning pie by The Kandy Bar, Saltcoats
No need to drown the pie in beans or sauce here, the right amount of moisture (no greasy plate!) and a shell that doesn’t collapse. Chips were standard.
2014 winning Apple Pie by Boghall Butchers, Bathgate
full,of apple slices and sauce, melt in the mouth pastry as well. The table was very quiet during this course! Let down by the paltry amount of custard.
