Steak and ale pie with bizarre ingredient crowned champion at British Pie Awards

A STEAK, ale and Stilton cheese creation has been named supreme champion at the British Pie Awards.

The crusty concoction — called Moo and Blue — rose up to beat a record 907 rivals to the coveted title.

Family-run Brockleby’s Pies was named supreme champion at the British Pie Awards

Each was sampled by 150 judges at the UK’s pork pie capital, Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire.

Family-run Brockleby’s Pies, based in the county, added the top award to more than 30 accolades it has collected at the event over the years.

Rival pie entries included Marmite-and-cheese, kebab and lasagne.

As well as attracting a record number of pies and pastries, the awards’ organisers recruited judges from major retailers, including Selfridges and Tesco, to work alongside chefs and pie experts.

Awards chairman Matthew O’Callaghan said: “We are always highly encouraged to see the nation’s love of pies and this year there has been a huge level of excitement and creativity.

“Brockleby’s has overcome exceptionally stiff competition for not only the best hot-eating savoury pie, but has ­triumphed over all and been crowned supreme champion.

“These awards celebrate the skill of British piemakers across the nation, so I’d like to say a particular congratulations to Brockleby’s for this huge success.”

The meat treat contrasts with last year’s supreme champion, Pieminister’s gluten-free Mooless Pie.

Following a strong year for vegan pies in 2022, the category dropped to being the fifth most numerous among this year’s entries.