A Surrey pub will be the focus of attention during British Pie Week 2009 after the Keystone, in Guildford, was named the Face of British Pie Week.
The accolade means that licensees Mark and Kath Eleveld, along with head chef Ashley Robins, will be promoting the pie-makers' craft in the media thoughout the week-long celebration of all things pie-related.
British Pie Week 2009, in association with Jus-Rol and supported by The Publican, runs from March 2 to 8. The Keystone was chosen from a shortlist of five pubs which submitted orginal recipes.
The Keystone's winner, Legendary Game Pie, impressed the judges not only with its new take on a classic dish, but also its flexibility - the recipe can be adapted to use different types of game, according to what's in season or on offer.
Ashley and licensee Mark produce a range of home-made pies for the Keystone, with a 'pie of the day' special as well as weekly pie night which offers two pie meals for £10 - customers even seek 'pie buddies' to take advantage of the offer.
Last year's Face of Pie Week pub was the Duke of Cornwall, in St Austell. Chef Mike Greer's duties include cooking his handcrafted Cornish steak pie recipe on TV alongside Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett.
Mike joined the judging panel for this year's contest, along with Martin Bates of the Craft Guild of Chefs, The Publican's food editor John Porter, and Sally Baxter from Jus-Rol.
- Visit British Pie Week for marketing and recipe ideas..Ashley's winning recipe forLegendary Game Pie can also be found there, as well as in the recipe section of ThePublican.com.