IT HAS become a massive event over the years.
And Huddersfield butchers once again triumphed at the premier pork pie competitions.
Broster’s Farm Shop, Lindley Moor, and Hinchliffe’s Farm Shop, Netherton, both picked up trophies at the 21st annual Charity Pork Pie Competition.
The contest, organised by the Pork Pie Appreciation Society, once again took place at the Old Bridge Inn, Ripponden, on Saturday.
Hinchliffe’s, which won gold at the last two competitions, won the silver for its traditional pie, having been pipped to the post by Mellor’s, of Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Craig Midwood, head butcher for Hinchliffe’s, said: “If I said I was disappointed I’d be a fool.
“Because we won it the last two years I was hoping for a hat-trick but you can’t win them all. It’s nice to still be in the top two.”
Meanwhile Broster’s came first in the new ‘artisan class’ for speciality pies.
Paul’s Family Butchers, Moorbottom, Honley, gained the bronze in the artisan class.
Some 50 pies from 40 producers from near and far were judged by pie gourmets and a celebrity judge, Paralympic double gold medallist Hannah Cockroft.
Hannah, from Halifax, chose the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice as the charity for this year’s contest.
Hannah is an ambassador for the charity based in Brackenhall.
Pies were judged on their external appearance, the look of the cross section and, obviously, the taste.
Beautiful weather ensured a huge turnout with guests packing the pub and its courtyard.
The event included a charity auction and a performance by the Friendly Band from Sowerby Bridge.
Competition co-organiser Stephen Maskill said: “We’ve had a fantastic turnout. The weather has been a godsend.
“It’s quite a prestigious competition and if your product is in the top five it’s quite a fillip to have.
“The standard is always high and it’s got higher over the years”.
