Pie Classes

For 2026 there are 26 Classes. Some specifications have been modified. Most important: Please carefully read the below to fully understand these changes

Rules

• ‘A pie is deemed to be a filling wholly encased in pastry and baked’ Note: Entries which do not comply (open lattice topped, fruit topped, samosas or any fried products etc.) will NOT be submitted for judging
• For clarity, if there is a hole in the lid of a Pie, the hole must be no more than 25mm diameter (for steam exit or jellying etc)
• All Entries must be received ready to eat and chilled to <8°C
• Only ONE Pie per Entry
• For Classes that have Restricted or Part Restricted Entries the Organisers reserve the right to request evidence of compliance
• To avoid doubt in establishing the correct Class for Pies containing a crossover of ingredients (e.g. Beef, Vegetable & Wine Pie), the predominant ingredient determines the correct Class
• If the Organisers consider a Pie has been entered into an incorrect Class, the Organisers reserve the right to reassign such Pies to the Class that is the ‘best fit’ for the Pie that has been entered

Classes

1. Melton Mowbray Pork Pie – sponsored by Foodmaker
   • RESTRICTED ENTRY (Pies must comply with UKGI / PGI)
   • Entries for this Class must comply with the recognised legal specification (UKGI / PGI) for an authentic Melton Mowbray Pork Pie and will be judged accordingly – of which details are available at mmppa.co.uk
   • Only Pies named as ‘Melton Mowbray Pork Pie’ can be entered into this Class
   • Judged cold
   • No weight restriction
   • Enter just one Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (NB no weight restriction) and as defined above
2. Pork Pie – sponsored by Shouler & Sons
   • Melton Mowbray named Pork Pies are not permitted in this Class
   • Judged cold
   • No weight restrictions
   • Pork (cured or uncured) together with seasonings may be the only ingredients in the filling, unless a small amount of rusk or other filler is used
   • The Pie may be glazed or unglazed.
   • Pies may be baked in tins, hoops or free standing
   • NOTE: Pork pies containing non-traditional seasonings or additions other than rusk or other filler (i.e. apple, black pudding, chorizo etc) should be entered into Class 3.
3. Savoury Pie – sponsored by Loughborough College Group 
   • PLEASE NOTE: This Class is for Pies designed to be eaten cold
   • Judged cold
   • Entries may be any shape and must weigh less than 750g
   • A Savoury Pie can be meat, vegetarian or vegan
4. Large Savoury Pie – sponsored by TC Group Melton
   • PLEASE NOTE: This Class is for Savoury Pies designed to be eaten cold
   • Judged cold
   • Entries may be any shape and must weigh more than 750g
   • A Savoury Pie can be meat, vegetarian or vegan
5. Pasty – sponsored by HSSP Architects
   
   • For all Pasties but RESTRICTED ENTRY for Cornish Pasties
   • Open for any Pasty. However, Cornish Pasties if entered into this Class must comply with the recognised legal specification (UKGI / PGI) for an authentic Cornish Pasty and will be judged accordingly – of which details are available at cornishpastyassociation.com
   • Judged cold
   • No weight restriction
   • For the purpose of these Awards a Pasty is a single piece of pastry folded over and sealed along its edges
   • Filling can be savoury or sweet (or both)
   • Any Pasty named as ‘Cornish Pasty’ can only be entered into this Class
6. Dessert Pie – sponsored by Benton’s Estate Agents
   • For all Dessert Pies but RESTRICTED ENTRY for Bramley Apple Pies
   • Open for any Dessert Pie. However, Bramley Apple Pies if entered into this Class must comply with the current UKGI / TSG regulations for Traditional Bramley Apple Pie Filling and will be judged accordingly – of which details are available at https://www.gov.uk/protected-food-drink-names/traditional-bramley-apple-pie-filling
   • A Pie that contains a sweet filling but does not necessarily have to be fruit based
   • Judged cold
   • Entries may be any shape, size or weight
   • All Pies named as ‘Bramley Apple Pies’ can only be entered into this Class
7. Steak & Kidney Pie – sponsored by Chapman Financial
   • Judged hot
   • Maximum weight 660g
   • Steak & Kidney must be the principal ingredients of the filling
   • Steamed Puddings are not permitted
8. Beef & Gravy Pie – sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland  
   • Judged hot
   • Maximum weight 660g
   • Beef must be the principal ingredient of the filling (with no alcohol)
   • Whilst onion is permitted the predominant flavour profile should be beef and gravy
   • NOTE: Beef & Vegetable Pies should be entered into Class 12
   • NOTE: Beef Pies containing alcohol should be entered into Classes 9 or 10
9. Steak & Ale Pie – sponsored by ABP
   • Judged hot
   • Maximum weight 660g
   • Beef must be the principal ingredient of the filling and Ale should be the main flavour profile added to the gravy or sauce
   • Whilst onion is permitted, the predominant flavour profile should be steak and ale
   • NOTE: For the purposes of these Awards, Ale includes beer, lager, stout and similar
10. Steak & Wine Pie – sponsored by Melton Mowbray Market & The Stockyard
    • (for clarity, wine includes fortified wine and brandy)
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g,
    • Beef must be the principal ingredient of the filling and wine (or wine derivatives, including brandy) should be the main flavour profile added to the gravy or sauce
    • Whilst onion is permitted it should not override the predominant flavour profile of steak and wine
11. Beef & Cheese Pie – sponsored by Scotch Butchers Club 
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Beef must be the principal ingredient of the filling along with naming the type of cheese used, which should add a distinguishable flavour profile
    • Whilst onion is permitted, the predominant flavour profile should be beef and cheese
12. Beef & Vegetable Pie – sponsored by RS Safety Solutions 
    • To be judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Beef and vegetables must be the principal ingredients of the filling
13. Meat & Potato Pie – sponsored by BAKO
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Meat must be the principal ingredient, along with potato, as the filling
    • Onion is permitted only as a base ingredient of the gravy
14. Lamb Pie – sponsored by ABP
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Lamb or mutton must be the principal ingredient of the filling and may be combined with other flavours
15. Chicken or Chicken & Vegetable/Herb Pie – sponsored by Pin-it Pastry
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Chicken must always be the principal ingredient of the filling whether the pie is plain chicken or combined with vegetables and/or herbs. No other meat is permitted
16. Chicken & Ham Pie – sponsored by RONDO
    • Ham includes bacon, gammon, chorizo or other varieties of cured pork
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Chicken must be the principal ingredient of the filling along with at least one other cured pork product
    • Vegetables are permitted (e.g. Chicken, Ham & Leek)
17. Game Pie – sponsored by Eat Game 
    • For clarity, for the British Pie Awards, Game includes: Venison, Wild Boar, Squirrel, Hare, Rabbit, Pigeon, Pheasant, Partridge, Grouse, Duck, Goose, Guinea Fowl, Woodcock, Quail, Snipe & Golden Plover
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
18. Hot-Eating Savoury Pie – sponsored by Sysonby Knoll Hotel 
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • This Class is for a Pie with a savoury filling that has been formulated/designed to be eaten hot and not cold
    • NOTE: This is the correct Class for entering Pies containing Turkey, Bison, Black Pudding and Haggis etc
19. Fish Pie – sponsored by Melton Mowbray Borough Council
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Fish and/or seafood must be the principal ingredient of the filling, but can be combined with any other flavours
20. Vegetarian Pie – sponsored by The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom
    • RESTRICTED ENTRY (must be 100% Vegetarian)
    • Entries must be totally 100% vegetarian and will be judged accordingly – of which details are available at vegsoc.org
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • NOTE: Cold eating Vegetarian Pies, depending on their weight, should be entered into Class 3 or 4
21. Vegan Pie – sponsored by The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom 
    •       RESTRICTED ENTRY (must be 100% Vegan)
    • Entries must be totally 100% vegan and will be judged accordingly – of which details are available at vegsoc.org
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • NOTE: Cold eating Vegan Pies, depending on their weight, should be entered into Class 3 or 4
22. Pub Pie – sponsored by Rijkaart 
    • RESTRICTED ENTRY (Pies must be commercially sold in a Pub)
    • A Class for Pies that are commercially sold in a Pub
    • Filling can be savoury or sweet
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • The name of a Pub/Pub Company must accompany each Entry
23.  Sports Club Pie – sponsored by European Process Plant (EPP) 
    • RESTRICTED ENTRY (Pies must be commercially sold at a Sports Club or Venue)
    • A Class for Pies that are commercially sold at a Sports Club or Venue
    • Filling can be savoury or sweet
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • The name of a Sports Club or Sports Venue must accompany each Entry
24. Fish & Chip Shop Pie – sponsored by Melton Mowbray BID Company
    • RESTRICTED ENTRY (Pies must be commercially sold in a Fish & Chip shop)
    • A Class for Pies that are commercially sold in a Fish & Chip shop
    • Filling can be savoury or sweet
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • The name of a Fish & Chip shop must accompany each Entry
25. Gluten Free Pie – sponsored by The Pastry Room
    • RESTRICTED ENTRY (Pies must be GLUTEN FREE or VERY LOW GLUTEN)
    • The Pie must comply with EC labelling standards (EC No. 41/2009) with Pies containing less than 100ppm of gluten and will be judged accordingly – of which details are available at https://www.fao.org/faolex/results/details/en/c/LEX-FAOC084558/
    • Filling can be savoury or sweet
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
26. Fusion Pie – sponsored by Soi Indian Restaurant
    • A Fusion Pie combines the British tradition of being fully enclosed with pastry but with flavour profiles from around the world (e.g. chicken tikka. biriyani, lamb rogan josh, beef chilli etc)
    • Fillings can be savoury or sweet, vegetarian or vegan
    • For clarity, fried pastry is not permitted
    • Judged hot
    • Maximum weight 660g
    • Note: Traditional pie flavour profiles should be entered into the appropriate Class and not Class 26

Protein Matrix

Protein Matrix Notes

1. Melton Mowbray Pork Pies must comply with their UKGI / PGI legislation
2. Cornish Pasties must comply with their UKGI / PGI legislation
3. Bramley Apple Pies, if entered, must comply with their UKGI / PGI legislation
4. Although Fish is No … if Anchovy Paste/ Worcestershire Sauce or other fish based ingredient is used in the sauce/gravy, this could be Yes
5. Pub Pies must be commercially sold in a Pub
6. Sports Club Pies must be commercially sold at a Sports Club or Venue
7. Fish & Chip Shop Pies must be commercially sold in a Fish & Chip shop
8. Gluten Free Pies must be GLUTEN FREE or VERY LOW GLUTEN

Notes

All entries must be received ready baked and chilled to <8°C

In an effort to reduce unnecessary waste & cost to Entrants only ONE Pie per Entry and,

All Entries entered into Class 1 (Melton Mowbray Pork Pie) must comply with the current PGI regulations for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.

All entries in Class 5 (Pasty Class) must comply with the current PGI regulations if entering a Cornish Pasty

All Bramley Apple Pies entered into Class 6 must comply with the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed regulations for Bramley Apple Filling if entering a Bramley Apple Pie

All Entries entered into Class 20 (Vegetarian Pie Class) must be 100% Vegetarian. For details of what ingredients are Vegetarian please visit vegsoc.org/veggieaware

All Entries entered into Class 21 (Vegan Pie Class) must be 100% Vegan. For details of what ingredients are Vegan please visit vegansociety.com

All Entries entered into Class 25 (Gluten Free) In compliance with EC labelling standards (EC No. 41/2009) all pies entered in this Class must contain less than 100ppm Gluten. The Organisers reserve the right to request evidence of compliance.