Lamb pie and puds the best baa none

Master pie chef Tom and our man Martyn sample the miniature “canapies” atop a model giant potato and meat pie

Our man Martyn gets his teeth into an exclusive
OLDHAMERS can look forward to a new pie from Hollands.

To celebrate 160 of business, the pie maker is bring its first lamb pie and lamb pudding to a chip shop near you in the new few weeks.

The Oldham Chronicle can exclusively reveal that the new pie, created by masterchef Tom Bridge, is the result of a consultation exercise involving no less that 16 new pie varieties.

A focus group of pie eaters was asked to sample each of Tom’s new recipes, these were whittled down to a tasting of six and the lamb pie, plus a suet pudding with the same ingredients, was the clear winner.

During an exclusive interview with the Chronicle at the Lancashire pie maker’s anniversary celebrations at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, Tom confirmed the lamb pie sensation.

“It was a clear winner,” said the man who created the world’s most expensive steak pie, valued at £3,000 to celebrate the most recent Royal Wedding

The contents included Umbrian truffels, Matsutake shitake mushrooms, Wagyu beef, oysters and gold leaf topping.

None of these ingredients feature in the lamb pie soon to hit shops and cafes in Oldham, he candidly admitted.

The Holland’s exhibition takes visitors through the story of the company from when the first pie rolled out of the oven to the present day.

Visitors will learn about the company’s founders, employees, the iconic fleet of delivery vans and even a day in the life of a Holland’s potato and meat pie. And there is even a pie quiz! The interactive exhibition features a visual timeline showcasing the company’s history alongside memorabilia from the last 16 decades, including original advertisements, photography and merchandise.

Alongside a wealth of historic gems from the company’s archives, the exhibition has many items contributed by the British public, following a nationwide search.

The Holland’s story began 160 years ago when John Whittaker started a confectionery shop in Haslingden, Rossendale, and employed Richard Holland.

He married John’s step daughter who took over the business from her father and renamed it Holland’s.

In the early days, Holland’s Pies were delivered by horse and cart.

It was not until 1927 that the company introduced the first of its iconic delivery vans, painted in the same green, red and gold livery that you see in Oldham today, but in those days hand-painted with gold leaf rather than modern printing techniques.

Holland’s has come a long way since its humble beginnings but many of the traditions remain the same.

The pies’ unique short crust pastry recipe, which is still used today, was developed by Walter Holland by adding warm water to the low-fat rations allocated after the war.

Holland’s Pies were originally baked in tins, and the Holland’s meat pies are still made this way today, giving them their famous ‘fried base’.

Pie historian Tom Bridge, also an ambassador for Holland’s Pies, said: “Holland’s Pies has been at the heart of the community for 160 years.

“It is a company that many people have fond memories of from their childhood and still hold very close to their hearts to this day.

“We put together the exhibition to celebrate this spirit and tell the story of the company’s fascinating history in a lively, interactive way.

“We’re urging pie fans from Oldham to come along and get a real taste of how one of the region’s best-loved brands came to be.”

The exhibition continues until February 12, at MOSI’s 1830 Warehouse on Liverpool Road in Manchester. Entry is free . . . and you even get canapies.