National Pie Week
The Great British Pie…
Attention all pie lovers, March 1st to the 7th is British Pie Week, a week of celebrating the noble pie in all its forms.
Pies have long been held in fond regard in Britain, indeed they are integral to our nations food history and culture, from the earliest game pie from centuries past to a meat and potato hand held on the football terraces up and down the country on a saturday afternoon.
I love pies, savoury or sweet, the pastry can be any type for me; puff, raised, shortcrust I don’t care-as long as it’s good. I have toyed with the idea of putting a really nice, upmarket pie on the menu for some time. My great friend, Lee who used to run the kitchen at Marcus Waering at the Savoy Grill, London used to regularly feature a pie on his menu as a way of keeping the old regulars happy.
This appeals to me, a really good chicken and ham pie served with some bubble and squeak and a good old fashioned chicken gravy. The options are almost endless but it really is worth taking your time to make a really good filling, if you have the time to make your own pastry then all the better but don’t beat yourself up about buying a roll of shop bought shortcrust or puff pastry.
My father could turn his hand to a fine chicken pie when called upon, over time his expertise increased to the point that the pie lid would be decorated with off cuts of pastry before glazing with egg wash in the style of the great Escoffier himself. These were made when Mrs Collins was at work, or ill, or both! Looking back, my brother and I would poke fun at my father, all in good spirits but at the same time I don’t think either of us really appreciated the effort at the time. We were always grateful and would help set the table, serve the food and wash up but as I write this I wish I was older at the time to have appreciated it more.
We should celebrate national pie week, if, for nothing else it evokes fond memories of sharing food and acknowledging the effort and love of others. That’s what food should be all about. So, Dad, this post, the 100th I’ve written on food thus far is for you and your contribution to my special food memories, a long overdue thankyou.
Chef
>>I have toyed with the idea of putting a really nice, upmarket pie on the menu
I would if I were you.
It’s hard to beat a nice pie anyway but imagine one superbly done by a serious chef and using only the very best of ingredients - I think it would go down a storm !
If you need anyone to do taste testing let me know
DC
March 4, 2008 @ 8:26 am
Miles,
Get a pie on the menu, get several. I’ve made all kinds over the years but my technique could be improved I daresay. Nevertheless sometimes the mood takes me and pie it is… before the cold weather melts, perhaps steak & kidney pie made with Guinness for my father’s sake.
Today though I am attempting a small batch of sushi to suit the palate of your fat-wary brother…. although I am tempted to wrap the whole thing up in a suet crust
Cid
March 4, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Miles
If this week really is pie week - and there are so many food weeks it’s hard to keep up, can | suggest that you visit us and look at the myriad of small local and regional producers who produce some amazing pies with first class, sustainably produced ingredients. Come look and see. and by the way, resisting the temptation (not) to plug my site www.foodloversbritain.com, we have some great pie recipes as well.
March 4, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Miles,
Put your thoughts into action and get that pie on the menu. There are not many men that can resist a good pie.
Cid and I will join DC in the tasting session. Indeed, a rather scrumptious addition to our hamper.
Good idea to chain it to your wrist, Cid.
Elsie
March 4, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
Henrietta,
Yes, it is indeed national pie week, I kid you not! You are quite right regarding regional producers, I have an award winning pie maker on my doorstep and I think it’s a wonderful tradition.
I am quite happy to give your excellent website a plug as I have been an admirer of your work for some time. Welcome to my blog and thanks for taking the time to comment.
Miles
March 4, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
Miles
Thank you - I hope you visit FoodLoversBritain.com (another plug) regularly and find it useful - let me know what you think. Have you checked out whether your award winning pie maker is in FoodFinds - if not can you let us (there’s a section called nominate) or you can email me directly . and indeed if you know/like any other food businesses - and that goes for anyone who might be reading. We love nominations and soon will be adding proper user content to the site Henrietta
March 6, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Henrietta,
That sounds great, I intend to write a post on the producer concerned and will forward the details on to you. Keep up the good work, it’s a fantastic idea and incredibly useful.
Miles
March 6, 2008 @ 4:41 pm