This year we decided to hold the competition a little later in the hope that the weather
would be better and everyone would be able to enjoy their pints and pies outside
with the Elland Silver Youth Band playing in the Bridge Inn car park by the
River Calder. It turned out to be quite cold and wet but the band played bravely
on.
From 12 noon
pie makers began to deliver their pies to be judged. Most of the entrants came
from West Yorkshire, but there were entries from Lancashire, Nottinghamshire,
Hartlepool and Keswick. Mr Michael from Keswick won 4th place last year and
this time he came with a bus full of supporters determined to bring back another
prize.
By 2 pm the
judging was ready to begin. All the pies had been numbered by Kevin and the
judging teams assembled all dressed up in new tee shirts advertising our
Sponsors Taylors Brewery.
The wonderful aroma of fresh pies was overwhelming. I was scheduled to judge in the
third round and therefore felt safe in eating a pie prior to my official tasting
duties. After all if I went into the tasting session ravenous I would be unable
to judge effectively. That is my excuse anyway!
As the judges manfully tackled the challenge of tasting the products of 52 pie makers
the old Bridge Inn was full of butchers, bakers and pie enthusiasts eating pie
and peas and drinking
Websters fine ales served by Tim the owner and landlord of
the Bridge Inn and his staff. Tension mounted as the judges
wittled down the entrants to 12 for the 3rd and final round.
At 4.45 Kevin and Tim retired to total up the scores of the judges.
At 5.30 with the Regions Press eagerly awaiting the results were announced. Just a few marks
separated the first 4 places. Mr Michael of Keswick just missed a cup this year
with 5th place. In 4th place was Hopkins of Bradford,
Third place went to Cryers of Halifax. Runner up was Middlemisss of Otley. The
winner was Wilsons of
Leeds.
It was a really great afternoon. The competition was fierce with
many outstanding pies. All the entrants were of a very high standard and all
deserved to be commended. If you have a favorite pie, why not tell your supplier
about the competition and they can enter next year and be tested against the
best in the Pork Pie Appreciation Society Annual Competition.
The sale of extra pies donated by the entrants raised over 1500 pounds donated this year to St
Bartholomews Church, Ripponden Restoration Fund.
|