Morecambe FC scores top pie title

A Bramley Apple Pie produced by Morecambe Football Club has won the ultimate accolade at the British Pie Awards 2014, scooping the title of Supreme Champion 2014.

It is the second time Morecambe FC has been crowned Supreme Champion having won it previously in 2011.

Judges at the event, held in Melton Mowbray, tasted 825 entries. Amid such strong competition, Morecambe FC’s recipe for success proved to be a delicious bramley apple pie, collecting the Supreme Champion trophy and £1,000 prize.

Morecambe FC was also named the Football Pie Class Champion for its Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie.

The judging panel, led by chairman Ian Nelson of Hovis Ltd and which included national food writers Charles Campion, Xanthe Clay and Felicity Cloake and TV chefs Andy Bates and Rachel Green, taste-tested pies entered in 19 different classes, with appearance and texture and flavour for both pastry and filling among the criteria. The winners from each class then went on to compete to be crowned Supreme Champion.

Graham Amison, head chef at Morecambe FC who works alongside Jackie Simpson who was responsible for creating the winning pie, said: "I am absolutely ecstatic with the Class Champion wins for our pies today but to be named overall Supreme Champion again is just amazing. We are incredibly proud of the quality of our pies and work hard to make sure what comes out of our kitchen taste great and is of the best quality. We are certainly putting Morecambe FC on the map for both its football and our pies." MMPPA chairman Matthew O'Callaghan said: "The competition was tougher than ever this year which makes Morecambe FC’s achievement all the more impressive. It was fantastic to bring together so many people and producers with a passion for pies, quality ingredients and great British food."