Bristol based Pieminister crowned winner at the British Pie Awards 2024 

Bristol-based pie business Pieminister has triumphed at this year’s British Pie Awards, taking home the first ever prize for the Fusion Pie category.

Pieminister’s Harissa Chicken Pie beat over 20 entries from across the UK in the category to take home the accolade. 

The awards, now in their 16th year, celebrate the nation’s most delicious pies - from the traditionally British to the innovative. The contest comprises of 24 different classes or types of pie including traditional favourites as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pies. 

The Fusion Pie category was new this year and highlighted products that combine the British tradition of a fully enclosed pastry pie but with fillings based on flavour profiles from around the world.   

Pieminister was launched in 2003, when founders Tristan Hogg and Jon Simon set up shop in Stokes Croft in Bristol.  The duo’s goal was to reinvigorate the humble British pie, and during its early days, Tristan made the pies and Jon ran the shop.  

On day one, the company sold five pies but word spread fast and after two weeks, there was a queue out of the door.  A stall in London’s famous Borough Market followed, then a pitch at Glastonbury and today, Pieminister employs 300 people across the UK with spots up and down the UK. 

All of its award-winning, sustainably made meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pies are made in the Bristol kitchens and available through its shops, large supermarkets, independent shops and delis.  

Pieminister co-founder and MD, Jon Simon, said: "It’s great to hear that one of our new filo pastry pies has won at the British Pie Awards.

"While its deliciousness is undeniable, we weren't sure what the judges would make of a filo pie at the awards, but the new fusion category was clearly a right for it. If you want to taste what a winning pie tastes like, hotfoot it to your local Pieminister as soon as possible. Free-range British chicken, chickpeas and red pepper cooked in a harissa sauce and encased in a light filo pastry- what’s not to like!"

Matthew O’Callaghan, host of the British Pie Awards, said: “This year's awards have seen a wonderful celebration of the nation’s love of pies; the atmosphere has been amazing and the level of creativity is off the scale.

“Pieminister triumphed over incredibly tough competition for best in the brand new Fusion Pie category. These awards celebrate the skill and ingenuity of British pie makers across the UK, and I’d like to congratulate them as a worthy winner.” 

The British Pie Awards were judged by a panel of 147 judges with extensive industry experience between them.  This year, the judging panel included representatives from the prestigious cookery school Cordon Bleu as well as chefs and pie experts.