Cumbrian pies have been named among the best in Britain.
The British Pie Awards celebrates the product’s heritage, protect and promote regional specialities, to recognise the craft of bakers, butchers and other producers and to support British produce.
They are held in Melton Mowbray and hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association.
Among the Cumbrian winners was The Gateway Inn, which overlooks Plumgarths roundabout at the northern end of Kendal.
It scooped a silver award for its Chicken, Ham and Leek Pie.
Chris Moss, a director of the Gateway Inn, said: “We always knew it was a great pie because of all the feedback we receive about it but to now have it recognised nationally is a credit to the whole team at the Gateway.
“Since taking over The Gateway Inn five years ago we have worked extremely hard to develop the food offering using local suppliers and it now has a fabulous following.
“The Chicken, Ham and Leek Pie is made using local ingredients. The key to a good pie is the filling and the fact that it is made with care and love.”
Head chef Ethan Drewery, who has been a chef for 10 years and at The Gateway Inn for the past three years, said: “To win the award is amazing – next time we go for gold!
“What I want the most out of my career is to be locally known as a chef who creates fresh local food that’s consistently hearty and homely.
“I love posh, fancy food, but for me it’s about getting the quintessentially British classics that everyone knows cooked right and full of flavour. I aim to provide simple food, cooked beautifully.”
Among the other Cumbrian winners were Delish, based in Barrow, won gold for its steak and potato pie, which was also highly commended in the meat and potato trophy category, the Ruddings Hotel in Braithwaite, near Keswick, which won gold for its Ravenstone beef and Corby blonde pie and Kendal’s David Willan, which was awarded bronze for its steak and onion pie.
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