][1]Scotland may have a reputation for always saying aye to a pie but it paid off yesterday when Scottish butcher Paul Boyle scooped two titles at the British Pie Championships in Melton Mowbray.
Perhaps the most surprising thing about the win is that one of the gongs was for a veggie pie.
The Bathgate-based businessman, who has twice won the World Scotch Pie Championship, beat a record field to take the fish pie category and the vegetarian division at the British Pie Championships.
Boyle, a former chef, works at Boghall Butchers in Bathgate. Commenting on his win, he said, ‘The veggie pie is a big seller over a big cross section of customers, from workmen in boiler suits to housewives.
‘The cod and white wine pie is also a good seller, but not as good as the veggie one. We’re absolutely delighted with the double win.’
Scotland also claimed three runners-up spots. Stuart’s of Buckhaven, Fife, were second with their Apple Pie while Perthshire-based Simon Howie Butchers of Dunning was second in the Football Pie category. He supplies to Celtic Park.
Nevis Radio were second with their venison pie made by Nevis Bakery of Fort William.
Over twenty top Scots piemen entered the British Pie Championships including three World Scotch Pie champions – the current holder, Murdoch Brothers from Forres, plus Stuart’s of Buckhaven and Boghall Butchers of Bathgate. This year’s event generated a record field of 122.