A vegan pie has sparked outrage after winning a top food award, with a leading chef branding the butternut squash creation “a disgrace”.

Jon Thorner's curried sweet potato, butternut squash and spinach entry was named 'Supreme Champion' at the British Pie Awards, beating some 886 other competitors at the contest in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire - home of the classic pork pie.

It is the first time in the event's 11-year history that a vegan pie has taken the top prize, and Mr Thorner, a butcher bashed in based in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, said the accolade was “completely unexpected.”

But Michelin-starred chef Richard Corrigan has lambasted the competition, calling it “pie in the sky”.

Speaking to the Telegraph, the 55-year-old Irishman, who has cooked for the Queen twice, said: “Please, please I’m going to cry.