Pie-makers in Colyton and Ottery St Mary have triumphed at the 2023 British Pie Awards.

Anton's Butchers in Colyton won best in class for their Steak and Kidney pie and Chunk of Devon, based at Ottery won best vegan pie.

The British Pie Awards, now in its 15th year, celebrates the nation’s most delicious pies at a weekend in Molton Mewbury.

Anton Bolton, owner of Anton's Butchers, said he was delighted to be recognised.

"My wife and I have been running the shop for two years now, and to be recognised at a national award ceremony for our pies is amazing," he said.

"We hope to be invited back next year to pick up some more awards for our produce."

Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association and host of the British Pie Awards, said: “We are always highly encouraged to see the nation’s love of pies at these annual awards, and this year there has been a huge level of excitement and creativity.  

"On Wednesday we had the pleasure of enjoying some spectacular pies, and both Anton's Butchers and Chunk of Devon have overcome exceptionally stiff competition for best pie in their categories. These awards celebrate the skill of British piemakers across the nation, so I’d like to say a particular congratulations to them for this success.” 

The contest comprises 23 different classes or types of pie including traditional favourites and newcomers such as Vegan and Gluten Free Pies.  This year in a surprise twist, meat-based pie entries dominated the top four classes for the first time since 2019, with Beef & Any Flavour topping the entry rankings. 

Other memorable entries in the contest included a Marmite and Cheese concoction and Fusion Pies such as Balti Pies, Vindaloo Pies, Kebab Pies, and even Baldy’s ‘Nearly As Good As Mama Joan's Lasagne Pie’.