A TENBURY Wells-based pie shop has had a taste of international success after gaining two prestigious awards for its pork pies.

The Wyre Pie Company has won a three-star Great Taste Award for its ‘Mr Williams’ traditional pork pie. Only the top two per cent of entries into the Great Taste Awards can boast this accolade.

The Great Taste judges’ verdict was: “This is a confident, robust, and very flavourful pie. It is absolutely packed full of fresh-looking pork meat with a very confident blend of seasoning. The rich pastry is not too thick with a satisfying savouriness and colour. The well-cooked pork has a firm bite and is well-seasoned with a warming pepper back note. The layer of jelly surrounding the meat is sweet and adds texture.”

The premium pie producer and artisan butcher also received a one-star award for its game pork pie.

Wyre Pie’s founder and director Peter Edwards, affectionately known as ‘Pete the Meat’ or ‘Pete the Pie Man’, has been a butcher for 48 years and began making his own pies and pastries from his garden shed in 2014.

Now, the company operates from a retail shop at Clarke’s Meadow in Tenbury. The shop sells an extensive range of meat pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and fresh meat, all from local farmers. Its produce is stocked in over 70 local businesses, and the company is soon starting up a home delivery service.

Mr Edwards said: “We are thrilled to have won a Great Taste award for our ‘Mr Williams’ traditional pork pie and our wild game pie. We have dreamt of this moment and are so proud.

“This is yet another example of how, as a company, we have progressed by maintaining a balance of vision associated with product development, and belief that there is still room in the world for tradition and old-fashioned practice.

“We started this back in 2014. When I think back to the humble beginnings of the garden shed, to now growing as a company and working with a close team, it fills me with pride.”

Steve Powell, a director of the company since 2020, said “Being recognised with Great Taste means so much to independent producers such as us, as it makes all the hard work and determination worth it! At the team’s core is to strive for perfection every day. It is a great team achievement, and it is only the beginning of where can go.”

Rafael Savela, a manager at the company, said: “Achieving three stars in the awards means that we have reached expectations in delivering our high quality to our customers. I feel very happy and fulfilled for having contributed.”

The three-star ‘Mr Williams’ pork pie costs £5.50 for the large size, with other sizes also available.

The Wyre Pie Company, which also sells gravy pies and pasties, will have a stand at Tenbury’s Countryside Show on Saturday August 5.

Each Great Taste Award has a validity of three years, so Wyre Pie’s accolades will be displayed on their winning products until the 2026 Great Taste Awards.

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For this year’s awards, 14,195 products from around the world were tested by 500 experts, including chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers, over 89 days of judging in Dorset and London.

Established in 1994, Great Taste is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and is the largest, longest standing and most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. The judges’ seal of approval is recognised worldwide.

The Guild of Fine Food is also known for the World Cheese Awards as well as further award ceremonies, markets, trade shows and training sessions.