A vegan pie has been crowned the Best British Pie of 2019 “I think a seasoned carnivore would enjoy eating this pie – it is that good,” the pie’s maker said

A vegan pie has been declared the winner of the British Pie Awards for the first time in the competition’s 11 year history – a decision that some dedicated meat eaters might have beef with.

The winning entry – a curried sweet potato and butternut squash vegan pie – was submitted by Jon Thorner, a Somerset-based butcher.

‘I love meat and I also really love this pie’

Mr Thorner, 62, said he was “thrilled” at the victory and insisted vegans and carnivores alike would enjoy the pie.

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“I love meat and I also really love this pie,” the butcher told i.

“I think a seasoned carnivore would enjoy eating this pie – it is that good,” he added.

‘Pie of pies’

The British Pie Awards take place annually in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, which is famed for its pork pies.

Close to 900 pies were entered from 176 producers but only one – Mr Thorner’s creation – will take home the coveted “pie of pies” accolade.

Head judge Colin Woodhead praised the pie’s moist and well-balanced filling, and remarked: “There are a number of challenges to making a good vegan pie and this has cracked it. The pastry was exceptional with a crispness that complimented the filling.”

Inspired by Greggs?

Mr Thorner opened his farm shop in 1979 and has been baking hand crimped pies since 2005 but he only recently expanded the range to include vegetarian and vegan options.

While this is the first time that a vegan pie has won the “supreme champion” title, and that a dedicated vegan pie category has been included in the competition, plant-based entries were not unheard of previously when they were submitted into different categories such as the free-from and vegetarian classes.

In the year that Greggs’ vegan sausage roll became a national talking point, the vegan pie class received the second highest number of entries of any category with a total of 68 pies in the running, the event organisers said.

‘It’s a pie for everybody’

Matthew O’Callaghan, chairman of the British Pie Awards, said: “This year’s supreme champion was outstanding and well deserving of the accolade.

“From its very appearance on the judging tray you knew it was going to do well and it didn’t disappoint when it was opened and tasted.

“This pie isn’t just for vegans, it’s a pie for everybody. With this award we can truly say that veganism is now entering the mainstream of British food.”

Vegan Society-endorsed

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Vegan Society in Leicester – less than 20 miles from Melton Mowbray – and the coining of the word “vegan” by the group’s founder Donald Watson.

“We’d like to congratulate Jon for winning the contest with his vegan pie,” said Dominika Piasecka, a spokeswoman for The Vegan Society.

“This victory shows that we don’t need animal products to create delicious, nutritious and exciting meals.”

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