WINCHESTER piemakers were in action at the weekend for the annual competition.

The 13th Hyde Tavern Pie Competition, held on Remembrance Sunday, was the biggest and most popular yet.

Since 2010, when nine pies were entered, this successful event has grown to a total of 25 pies and countless pie eaters, who pay £3 for a slice or £5 for a slice plus gravy, mash and peas (or custard and ice cream for sweet pies).

Taking place in the Hyde Parish Hall, as there were so many people of all ages to accommodate, the competition was judged by Winchester Rugby Club chef Jim Yeoman, and locals Heidi de Quincey and Steve Raphael – all of whom professed themselves to be pie afficionados and discriminating amateur food critics.

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The judging was scientific, scrupulously fair and we all agreed that the best pies won. Such was the enthusiasm about the pie that came third that it was said by one diner to be quite the best pie she’d ever eaten!

The winners were: Cat Brandwood (from Toscanaccio in Parchment Street) – a Tartiflette pie with potatoes, onions, bacon lardons and Reblochon cheese; Alex Humber – an autumn fruit pie with apples, pears, raisins, blackberries and rum, and Tom Burnley – a vegetarian pie with spinach, butternut squash, goat’s cheese and pine nuts.

Jan Theodore, manager of The Hyde Tavern and organiser of the event, said: “Thank you to everyone who came to this community event (in such awful weather too) and huge thanks to all who baked pies to such a high standard.

"They were all truly incredible and so much work went into creating them. The continuing enthusiasm that everyone has for our pie competition year after year is extraordinary.”

The proceeds this year were divided with £800 going to the World Food Programme (https://www.wfp.org/who-we-are) and an £85 donation being given to St Bartholomew’s Church for the use of the hall.