A Chicken, Ham and Leek pie produced by Morecambe Football Club has been announced the Supreme Champion at the British Pie Awards hosted yesterday (8th June 2011) in Melton Mowbray.

The annual competition, organised and hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, received 619 pies produced by bakers and butchers from across the country. Pies were judges by celebrity chefs, pie experts and top food writers including Rachel Green, Tamasin Day Lewis and Charles Campion.

The Supreme Champion, Graham Aimson from Morecambe Football Club, who was selected amongst the winners of each of the 12 categories, received a £1,000 prize and commented: "I have been a chef for 15 years and I pride myself on the quality and taste of my pies however, receiving this recognition by some of the country's best food experts is an absolute honour. I know these Awards are entered by the best bakers in the country, there was stiff competition so I am very proud of this achievement."

Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, Matthew O'Callaghan, commented: "We are thrilled with the standard of pies that we have tasted today. The Association organises these Awards to celebrate the heritage of the British Pie and it makes us very proud seeing the variety and quality of the pies presented. Almost two third of entrants were classed as Small Producers and we are delighted that they, as well as the bigger names in the industry, recognise the value of this event. We hope this helps to encourage consumers to continue enjoying the tradition of British Pies and authentic regional produce."

The Awards, which were held at St Mary's Church in Melton Mowbray, received support from Heygates Flour Millers.

For more details please visit www.britishpieawards.co.uk

ENDS Issue date: 9th June 2011

For further press information please contact: Laura Medel / Magdalena Kobylinska Geometry PR 01225 422 051/ laura@geometrypr.co.uk / magdalena@geometrypr.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Please see below the list of all the category winners 1. Melton Mowbray Pork Pie - produced by Mrs Kings Pies in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire 2. Pork Pie - produced by Walkers Charnwood Bakery in Leicester, Leicestershire 3. Steak and Kidney Pie - produced by Turners Catering Pies in Bognor Regis, West Sussex 4. Savoury Pie (Hot) - Chicken, Leek and Lava Bread Pie produced by Leonardo's Delicatessen Ltd in Ruthin, Denbighshire 5. Savoury Pie (Cold) - Chicken and Ham Pie produced by Chunk of Devon in Ottery St Mary, Devon 6. Fish Pie - Smoked Eel, Leek and Horseradish Pie produced by The Great North Pie Company in Stockport, Cheshire 7. Vegetarian Pie - Cheshire Blue Cheese Pie produced by The Great North Pie Company in Stockport, Cheshire 8. Cornish Pasty - Crantock Bakery in Newquay, Cornwall 9. Other Pasty - Bacon & Leek Pasty produced by Proper Cornish Ltd in Bodmin, Cornwall 10. British Apple Pie - Bouvie Lodge Quality Foods in Nether Broughton, Leicestershire 11. Other Dessert Pie - Cherry Pie produced by Kensey Foods in Launceston, Cornwall 12. Football Pie - Chicken, Ham and Leek Pie produced by Morecambe Football Club in Morecambe, Lancashire 13. Small Producers Special Awards - Chicken, Ham and Leek Pie produced by Morecambe Football Club in Morecambe, Lancashire

A full list of judges at the British Pie Awards can be found at www.britishpieawards.co.uk

Lisa Taylor lisat@geometrypr.co.uk