EBLEX names Best Steak Pie winner

EBLEX has crowned the winner of England's Best Steak Pie competition.

The overall winner is Dunkleys of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire — also the winner of the Manufacturer title — with its British beef and Abbot Ale pie.

The other category winner, of the Independent Retail Butcher or Caterer category, is Mellors Farm Butchers of Newark, Nottinghamshire.

After months of speculation and anticipation, the winner of 'England's Best Steak Pie Competition' for 2011 has been announced.

Sixteen companies made it to the final round of judging with the overall winner being presented with their award at the Meat management awards in London last week.

"It's such an honour to be named as the overall winner in the competition," said Dunkleys pie ambassador Mark Beeston.

"We have been making the 'British Beef and Abbot Ale Pie' for one of our customers for five years and it appears on the menu in over 800 of their pubs across the country. We produce around 15,000 units of the pie a week for them; crafting a quality pie which is hand finished to give it a home-made feel."

"'Dunkleys' British beef and Abbot Ale pie was delicious and certainly deserves the overall winner's position and coveted title of England's Best Steak Pie," said EBLEX foodservice project manager Hugh Judd. "We wish all the team at Dunkleys many congratulations."

"Additionally our congratulations go to Mellors Farm Butchers who did extremely well to win the independent category with their steak pie, along with all the other entrants who received gold, silver and bronze awards in what was a very closely fought competition."

Mellors Farm Butchers also received a trophy for its steak pie.