STORY: World Championship Scotch Pie Awards judging

The judges of the 22nd World Championship Scotch Pie Awards declared their annual judging day a huge success as over 70 butchers and bakers safely delivered more than 400 of Scotland best pies for judging by 60 experts in their field.

After a break during COVID, the judges were eager to get back to it and their enthusiasm shone through as each pie, under the scrutiny of Head Judge Ian Nelson, was assessed for its appearance, consistency and of course taste. But the aim of the day was to select a series of ‘best in category’ winners including the 2022 World Champion Scotch Pie in this much anticipated and always hotly contested competition.

The judges were looking for pie perfection across entrants in 11 categories; Scotch Pie, Football Pies & Savouries, Macaroni Pie, Steak Pie, Sausage Roll, Cold Savoury, Hot Savoury, Vegetarian Savoury, Haggis Savoury, Bridie and Apple Pies and the winner will be announced at a prestigious lunch on 18th January 2022 at the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld.

"Judging day is always a highlight in my calendar and today did not disappoint. It was our first chance to come together as an industry since March 2020 and so it really did feel special today” said Alasdair Smith, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers who run the competition on behalf of bakery and butchery trades. It always heartens me to see such an amazing display of pies which have been lovingly made from scratch from locally sourced ingredients, freshly made daily by skilled craftspeople.  I say this a lot but this really is the only competition of its kind, recognising excellence in the preparation of a perfect Scottish pie, and the winners genuinely receive a business boost for every title they take so it’s no wonder they try so hard to win each year.”

For more information visit www.scottishbakers.org