Monday 3 March saw high profile chefs and foodie faces alike joined forces at West London gastropub Princess Victoria to kick off British Pie Week 2014, with the inaugural ‘Princess Victoria Pork Pie Off’ for charity, Action Against Hunger.
Chefs from restaurants and pubs across Britain demonstrated their cooking prowess by competing with their interpretation of the quintessential British classic, the ‘Pork Pie’.
The Pugly Pie triumphs
Rising star Tom Langdon (above, with his pie) of Bermondsey gastropub The Garrison was crowned double champion – winning both the public and judges vote – beating stiff competition from established chefs such as Henry Harris (Racine) ‘A Right Pig’s Ear’, Peter Weeden (Newman Street Tavern) ‘Hot Water Crust Pork Pie’, TV’s Andy Bates (‘The Pie Man’), Matt Reuther (Princess Victoria) ‘For Your Pies Only’ and Paul Merrett (The Victoria).
Tom’s double winning pie titled ‘The Pugly Pie’ is made with pork shoulder, smoked streaky bacon, pork belly, mace, ground white pepper, garlic powder, nutmeg and cumin.
There were two over all categories to win, the first vote from over 50 members of the public and from the professional judges’ vote from restaurant critics Tom Parker Bowles (Mail on Sunday) and Joe Warwick (Metro), together with Christine Hayes, editor of one of the UK’s leading food magazines, Olive.
The Princess Victoria Pork Pie Off managed to raise a total of £500 for their chosen global charity, Action Against Hunger.
Nigel Sutcliffe of Truffle Hunting restaurant group who own Princess Victoria said “Tonight’s event was about getting the community together to celebrate British Pie week, our love of great tasting pies and local craft beers! The fact that we could raise money for such a great charity makes it all the better”.
Princess Victoria is located at 217 Uxbridge Rd, London W12 9DH.
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