Student’s taste of success

Science student Rebecca Hill has passed her toughest exam yet — to be a Holland’s Pies taster.

The Former Hulme Grammar School pupil swopped Sheffield University studies to become a member of the Haslingden-based company’s panel of official pie tasters.

She was one of 60 contestants whittled down to the final 15 last week, and will now test the company’s new products every two months.

Rebecca, from Rochdale, who is studying for a Phd in structural biology said: “It was a five-part test, and the hardest part was identifying eight Holland’s pies from a pile of 25.

“I do love Holland’s pies. My favourite one is a hard choice —I love meat and potato but Hollands’ pasties are the best.”

Neil Court-Johnston, managing director, said: “We’ve been amazed by the strength of feeling about our pies.

“We’ve received expressions of interest about our testing panel from all over the place — everywhere from the New York to Islamabad.

“One person even made his own way here from Norway.”