The Parkers Arms pie wins gold medal at British Pie Awards

The Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland, which was recently named the UK’s best gastropub, has won a gold medal in the pub pie category for their ‘curried mutton and its offal’ pie.

Chef patron Stosi Madi said she and the team are delighted about the win.

Parkers Arms customer Harriet Bentley with The Parkers Arms' British Pie Awards certificate (Image: The Parkers Arms)

She said: “We are delighted and next year we are aiming to win best pub pie overall.

“We entered the pie into the awards very last minute and we had no idea we had won.”

Stosi said the pie has been a favourite among customers for 15 years.

She said: “It’s an ode to the steak and kidney pie, except we use mutton or lamb, depending on what is in season.

“Instead of gravy we use curry because we are in the north – and curry and the north are very synonymous with each other and the meat also marries very well with spices.

“We also use fat, that is rendered from the mutton, in the pastry”.

Stosi described the pies as a “labour of love” and a batch can take seven days to cook, from the time the animal carcass arrives in the kitchen to the time the pies enter the oven.

The effort soon pays off as the pies fly off the shelves, with people travelling from across the world to try one.

“Customers have always loved it,” said Stosi. “Some have called it the best in the world and say they have never tasted better.

“People come from as far as London, Sydney and New York just to try it I kid you not”.

The Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers, tried the pie back in 2021 while filming a BBC Two show called The Hairy Bikers Go North.

She said: “It’s very special because it’s the one the Hairy Bikers loved when they came and filmed here.

Stosi said this award has given staff a “huge boost” adding that she is proud to put the Ribble Valley on the map.

She said: ”It’s brilliant when you think about. Our little Lancashire gastropub is the best in the UK and now our pie has won this gold award.

The Parkers Arms' curried mutton pie (Image: The Parkers Arms)

“It’s great for the area and highlights the Ribble Valley as a wonderful hub for food.

“People down south think the north is barren but it isn’t – I think it is far better to eat up here than down south.

“We are so proud of all we have achieved, as we are small, independent and family-run pub.

“We are no a fuss, no frills, no glitz, no nonsense pub where you can get great food and drink and warm hospitality.

“We think that is why we keep winning these awards.”