Southport’s Farmhouse Kitchen pies face judges today at British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray
A record 14 pies from Southport’s Farmhouse Kitchen are being judged today at the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray as the town’s “first family of pies” bids for national glory.
Rob Marshall and his mum Terri baked and transported the pies to Leicestershire yesterday, and judges are now putting their creations through their paces alongside entries from across the country.
This year’s competition carries an added edge. Rob and Terri are going head to head in the fish pie and dessert pie categories, with Rob entering under The Farmhouse Kitchen banner and Terri competing under their Bold Street venue, The Grazing Lounge.
“We’ve put everything into this year’s entries,” Rob said. “Mum and I are going head to head on the fish pie and the dessert pie which adds a bit of fun to it, but make no mistake — we’re both in it to win it.”
The 14 entries span ten categories and include several new creations alongside returning favourites. Rob’s line-up features “The Sandgrounder,” a pie dedicated to Southport Football Club in the Sports Club Pie category, “Big Bert’s Steak & Guinness Pie” in Steak & Ale, and “Indian Drummer Pie” in the Large Savoury category.
Terri’s entries include “The LOLA” in Steak & Kidney, “Lady Grazer” in Steak & Wine, and her fish pie — cheekily named “Who’s Is Better? Mother vs Son The Pie Bake Off.”
The Farmhouse Kitchen is no stranger to the awards podium. Last year, the team brought home two class wins, two golds, two silvers and two bronzes from 11 entries.
The top three in each category will be invited to an awards lunch in Melton Mowbray on Friday, where the winners will be announced at about 2pm.
The Farmhouse Kitchen is open on Old Park Lane, Southport and in Ainsdale Village. The Grazing Lounge is on Bold Street, Southport.