Top names complimented Loughborough College students for ensuring there wasn’t a single crust out of place for celebrity tasters at the prestigious annual British Pie Awards this week.
With more than 800 pies battling it out for prizes at the annual event in Melton Mowbray, attended by Food Minister Goerge Eustice, ten College Hospitality and Catering students were on hand to ensure entries were prepared and ready for judges including TV Chefs Andy Bates and Rachel Green to tuck in on time.
Pies were being considered in 19 categories including the best football pie, dedicated solely to those dished up at grounds across the UK, and the speciality ‘A Pie Fit For A Hero’ class, to help commemorate both the centenary of the start of the First World War and the bakers and chefs working in and for the British armed forces.
Loughborough College Culinary Skills Programme Leader Valerie Armstrong said: “On day one our students worked extremely hard to ensure every one of the 825 pies that arrived was temperature checked in line with food regulations, matched against its entry paperwork, categorised and stored correctly – and that the venue was fully prepared for judging.
“The following day they had to heat each pie to the correct temperature and get it to one of more than 100 judges, timing this crucially to maintain a steady flow of pies for each judge to sample.
“It really was no easy feat but I am proud to say that not a single pie was out of place and many of the judges personally expressed their thanks for the work the students had done, complimenting them on their efficiency and professionalism.
“This experience was completely different from anything the students are used to at College or in their part-time jobs and was vital in building their employability skills. It was tremendous for them to have the opportunity to participate in such a prestigious event.”
A Bramley apple pie, produced from a traditional family recipe by Graham Aimson, head chef at Morecambe Football Club, was named Supreme Champion.
Celebrity chef Andy Bates (third from left) is pictured at the British Pie Awards 2014 with Loughborough College Culinary Programme Leader Valerie Armstrong (second from right) and, students Ross Jones, Jason McNeice, Megan Taylor and Anna Cook