With just under three weeks until the submission deadline for entries to this year’s British Pie Awards the organisers have announced their head judge is Ian Nelson of Hovis Ltd.
Ian has been in the baking industry for 30 years beginning his career in a small family bakery in the village of Uphall, West Lothian. From there he joined Fleming Howden as a bakery demonstrator where he progressed to technical manager looking after quality control. He is currently the Technical Account Manager for Hovis Ltd.
Celebrating the baking industry
Ian Nelson said “I have been a huge fan of the awards since they were launched a few years ago, as I believe they celebrate a part of the baking industry that is often overlooked even though pies are a significant part of our British food heritage. With around 1,000 pies to be tasted and judged in one day I am certainly going to have my work cut out, however I would like to reassure all entrants that my emphasis will be on ensuring quality and consistent marking and tasting takes place across the judging process. It will be great day and I am looking forward to it immensely.”
Entry deadline is Friday 11 April
Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association said “Entries are coming in thick and fast on a daily basis now and we are anticipating another hugely successful event. The steering group is delighted to welcome someone with Ian’s baking calibre as our head judge and we are looking forward to the big day arriving soon. It is not too late to enter but make sure you get your entries in before the deadline of Friday 11th April.”
The British Pie Awards were set up by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association in 2009, originally as part of the celebrations following the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie achieving EU protected name status and also as a way to recognise the importance and tradition of pie eating in the UK. Pies are entered in 19 different categories this year and judged independently by pie experts, celebrity chefs and acclaimed food writers.
Full details of all of this year’s classes and the entry form are available on line at www.britishpieawards.co.uk or by contacting Emma Sparks via email emma.sparks@mmppa.co.uk. For all the latest updates please follow us on Twitter @britishpies and Facebook www.facebook.com/britishpieawards.