Couple taste success at British pie awards

AN Oldham couple have scooped two major awards in a month — thanks to their pies.

A month after being voted Retail Business of the Year at The Pride of Tameside Business Awards, Mark and Gillian Bradley, who live in Lees, took more honours at the British Pie Awards held in Melton Mowbray.

Bradley’s Bakery at Hurst Cross, Ashton, was awarded silver in the Savoury Hot category for its meat and potato pies, the second year running that Bradley’s has been given an award for its pies at the national competition.

Last year the firm was awarded silver for its pork and Bury black pudding pies.

“As a small local family-run bakery this is a massive achievement for us as many of the top producers in the country take part in the competition,” said Gillian.

The business was founded more than 50 years ago in Werneth and continues to attract lots of customers who travel form the Oldham area to the shop, she added.

Referring to the business awards held at Dukinfield Town Hall, Gillian added: “We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and things have certainly paid off as the shop has been non-stop since.”

Organised and hosted by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, 619 pies produced by bakers and butchers from across the country were judged at the pie awards.

Pies were judged by celebrity chefs, pie experts and top food writers including Rachel Green, Tamasin Day Lewis and Charles Campion.

Mark said: “We know these awards are the crème de la crème of British pies and we are thrilled to get the recognition from the best food experts in the country and be among the best pie makers.”