Whitchurch pie shop crowned best newcomer at annual awards

Mr Martin, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, started his business during lockdown

A Shropshire pie shop has proven to be among the upper crust after being crowned best newcomer at the British Pie Awards.

Martins, in Whitchurch, also won first prize for the best meat and booze combo at the ceremony in the pork pie principality of Melton Mowbray.

Chef Dave Martin said wagyu beef and ale was the firm's "flagship" filling.

It all means we now know the answer to the perennial poser "who ate all the pies"?

"I know I'm biased," Mr Martin said, "but once people try [the beef and ale], people just come back every week and have another one."

The proud pie-man, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, started his business during the first coronavirus lockdown of 2020 and opened his first shop in Whitchurch in November.

He said he worked with a butcher supplying specialist meat which made a "big difference" to his pies.

The award-winning pie features a special beef and ale filling

Mr Martin added there was no great secret to his beef and ale - the latter a local county brew.

He explained the product followed a simple recipe based around the treatment and preparation of the meat.

"You don't need to throw 20 ingredients at it," he said. "It's testament to why we won three Great Taste awards, or stars, for the product because [they've] never tasted anything quite as good as this."

Hundreds of piemakers vied for prizes in the event last week with a savoury pie filled with minted Wensleydale lamb and potato being announced as the supreme champion.