British Pie Awards: What Makes The Perfect Pie?

Today, bakers and chefs from across the country will be descending on the town of Melton Mowbray in the hope of winning awards for their pies. The historic British Pie Awards is returning to Britain’s pie capital for its 17th edition, with a wide range of flavours in the running, from the traditional to the experimental. With 900 entrants and just 26 categories, competition is rife – so how can hopefuls impress pie connoisseurs? 

What Are The British Pie Awards?

Founded in 2009 and organised by the Melton Mowbray Pie Association, The British Pie Awards is a celebration of British pies. It takes place every year during British Pie Week (3 – 9 March in 2025), with an expert panel of judges crowning a whole host of pies with prizes.

For the 2025 edition, there are 26 ‘classes’ such as Beef and Vegetable, Pastry, Fish & Chip Shop Pie, Pub Pie, Melton Mowbray Pork Pie and Vegan Pie. The Fusion Pie category is also returning, which focuses on fillings based on global flavours – this year judges will be trying innovative fillings like Toffee Apple Pie, and Indian Style Butter Chicken & Cheddar Pie. On Friday 7 March, the Supreme Champion announcement will also see one overall winner being crowned The Pie of Pies: last year, it was a Minted Wensleydale Lamb & Potato Pie from Middleton-In-Teesdale Fish & Chip Shop in Durham.

There are 169 judges on the panel this year, including chefs, food writers, pie experts and a former Great British Bake Off winner. Matthew O’Callaghan, chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pie Association, said: ‘We’re once again astounded by the incredible talent showcased at the 2025 British Pie Awards. Following last year’s success, the Fusion Pie category has continued to push the boundaries of innovation, and the overall standard of entries has reached new heights. With an overwhelming number of pies submitted from across the British Isles – crafted by bakers, butchers, chefs, and pub kitchens – this year’s competition is fiercer than ever. Our judges have an exceptionally tough job ahead, and I certainly don’t envy them!’

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How Are The Pies Judged?

First thing’s first: what constitutes a pie? ‘For the British Pie Awards the definition of a pie is “a filling totally enclosed with pastry” – irrespective of whether the pie has a sweet or savoury filling or is destined to be eaten hot or cold,’ explains Stephen Hallam MBE, Treasurer and Secretary of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association. ‘Tarts, open or lattice topped pies and fillings in a dish covered with pastry are not proper pies (even if they are attractive to look at and delicious to eat!).’ Pies begin with 100 points, and points are then deducted for any faults based around four criteria: appearance, baking, pastry and filling.

Appearance 

The best pies ‘should look nice and attractive… not unattractive nor disappointing.’ It should ‘make you want to buy it’ and ‘if glazed, then the glaze should be even and perfect … not sloppy nor uneven.’ 

Baking

The pie should have the ‘perfect even bake all over’ – and, of course, under baked or burnt pastry won’t fly. 

Pastry

Naturally, the secret to a great pie is great pastry. Winning pies will have an even thickness all round, and pastry should strike the perfect balance between thick and thin, as well as be ‘tasty and well-seasoned’. No greasiness, dryness or crumbling either.

Filling

What’s inside is equally important: pies should be ‘well filled’ without overstuffing, with a balanced filling in which all the ingredients can be identified. Flavour combinations, too, must be balanced, and it should ‘taste as good as it looks’.  

What Makes The Perfect Pie?

Having tried many pies over the years, Stephen knows what makes one stand out. It must have a wow factor, he says – ‘it should excite and arouse interest just by looking at it.’ The pie should also be well-filled and correctly baked, and leave you wanting to go back for a second or third slice ‘because it tastes so good.’ The ultimate sign of a winner? ‘You’ll buy it again and again and forever wax lyrical about it to all your friends.’

Find out more at britishpieawards.co.uk