LOCAL HOTEL WINS GOLD AND REACHES FINAL OF STEAK PIE NATIONAL COMPETITION

Hallmark Hotel in Bournemouth is through to the final of a national Steak Pie competition, winning a gold award and the chance to put Dorset on the map as the home of ‘England’s Best Steak Pie’ with their ‘Mutton Pie with Rosemary and Honey Roasted Root Vegetables’.

Executive Head Chef, Jamie Perry was delighted to have won and be representing Dorset.  He says “Our Pies are great, but for them to be award winning is fantastic!  I’m really looking forward to the final now, I will certainly be doing everything I can to win!”

There were two categories for entry in England’s Best Steak Pie competition run by EBLEX; ‘Independent Butcher or Caterer’ and ‘Manufacturer’. Hallmark Hotel entered the Independent category. To achieve a gold award the pies had to score between 95 – 100 points. Over 65 pies were entered into the first round of the competition and Hallmark Hotel was one of only 16 companies to make it through to the final.

Their ‘Mutton Pie with Rosemary and Honey Roasted Root Vegetables’ will now go forward for a final round of judging this month, after which a winning pie will be chosen in each category. Each category winner, plus their partner or a colleague, will then be invited to attend the prestigious Meat Management Awards in London on June 8th where the entrants whose pie achieved the highest score overall, will win the coveted title ‘England’s Best Steak Pie,’ which will be announced on the night.

General Manager of Hallmark Hotel, Helen Hall says “We’re all very proud that Jamie has got this far and is representing Hallmark Hotel.  We’re all wishing him well for the final and hoping he can bring this coveted title back to the hotel.  Good luck Jamie!”

Hugh Judd, EBLEX foodservice project manager, said: “We were delighted with the number and quality of the pies entered into the competition. It was a tough job to judge them all, but those that achieved gold awards were outstanding.

“With 16 companies all competing for the title of ‘England’s Best Steak Pie’ the final is certainly going to be exciting! We wish Hallmark Hotel the very best of luck, and look forward to announcing the overall winner next month.”


Notes to editors:
England’s Best Steak Pie Competition is run by EBLEX, the organisation for beef and lamb levy payers in England, and a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

EBLEX acts to help the English beef and lamb industry boost its competitiveness and promote its products. Its aims are:
to encourage better returns for the English beef and lamb industry
to stimulate a profitable demand for quality beef and lamb
to champion the development of a sustainable industry through improved profitability.

Find out more at www.eblex.org.uk.

Photo attached shows Jamie Perry, Executive Head Chef of Hallmark Hotel with his winning pie.