Master chef Marco tucks into pub’s pies

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White with landlord Alistair Wolf (left) landlady Debra Tatlow and the popular pie

THERE’S no pressure quite like perfecting pastry for Marco “Pie-rre” White.

But that was the challenge facing landlord Alistair Wolf when the Michelin-starred celebrity chef visited the Horton Arms in Chadderton.

He had heard great things about Alistair’s steak and ale pies — and wanted to try one for himself.

But he wanted the landlord to bake a pie using the chef’s new beer, called “The Governor”.

Former Sainsbury’s chef Alistair (53) said: “It was brilliant to meet Marco and he loved my pies.

“He also liked our homemade cakes and he’s coming back to see us really soon.”

It was an exciting time for the baker, who has been in the food trade since he was 14 and worked in Doyle’s Bakery in Blackley.

Even after a short period out of the trade, he found himself back in the business because he missed it so much.

Alistair, who prides himself on making all his pub grub from scratch, will soon be offering afternoon teas. And it’s a family affair: his fiancee Debra Tatlow is the landlady, her son Cameron works on the bar and his daughter Danielle waits on tables.