Four pie businesses in East Lancashire have been praised at the British Pie Awards 2024, which are a celebration of “one of Britain’s most important contribution to international cuisine.”

The Pie Hole in Darwen, Mark's Artisan Bakery in Clitheroe, Mill Town Pies in Burnley and Haffners Pies in Burnley all came home with bronze, silver and gold awards.

The Pie Hole, which has been open for less than a year, is celebrating after four pies, The Boozy Hoof, The American Cheese Steak, The Minty Sheep, and The Chip Shop Favourite, won bronze awards.

Lancashire Telegraph: Alistair Reay, co-owner of The Pie Hole in DarwenAlistair Reay, co-owner of The Pie Hole in Darwen (Image: Alistair Reay)

Alistair Reay, co-owner of the business, said: “We’re totally amazed and delighted that The Minty Sheep was reserve class winner in the hotly contested lamb class.

Lancashire Telegraph: The Minty Sheep pie, made by The Pie Hole in DarwenThe Minty Sheep pie, made by The Pie Hole in Darwen (Image: Alistair Reay)

“We love being able to offer our customers something different.

"We have only been open for 11 months so to have our pies recognised at such a prestigious event is brilliant for our small team.

"We are so thankful for our customers and staff and to bring the awards back to Darwen.”

Mark's Artisan Bakery won two bronze awards for its Spicy Chicken Balti Pie, described as being “infused with bold spices and encased in golden pastry”, and Vegetarian Bourika, described as having “a flavorful potato, cheese, and onion filling”.

Owner, Mark Solomon, said: "We are immensely proud to have our pies recognized for the second consecutive year by such a prestigious competition.

"This acknowledgment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as our commitment to using the finest ingredients and traditional baking methods.”

Haffners was awarded bronze for it Pork Pie, the recipe of which dates back 135 years.

Ted Cockett, managing director, said: "Haffners was originally founded in 1889 as a pork butcher, specialising in pork pies and pork sausage. 

Lancashire Telegraph: Ted Cockett, Haffners’ managing director Ted Cockett, Haffners’ managing director (Image: Ted Cockett)

"It's an honour for our pork pie to be given a bronze award at British Pie Awards. A tried and tested recipe, true to its roots from 135 years ago!"

Mill Town Pies’ Meat and Potato Pie, and Steak and Ale Pie won bronze awards. It also won a silver award for its Chicken Ham and Leek Pie.

The top gold prize was given to the company’s Chicken and Chorizo Pie.

A spokesperson for the British Pie Awards 2024 said: “The pie is one of the icons of British cuisine and probably one of Britain’s most important contribution to international cuisine.

"Savoury or sweet, hot or cold, the British eat millions of them every year, worth over £1 billion in total.

“These awards are a national celebration of British Pies in all their varieties and they have been running since 2009.

“For the purposes of the awards a pie is defined as the following: ‘A pie is deemed to be a filling wholly encased in pastry and baked’.”