Ashley Robins, head chef of The Keystone pub in Guildford, has been named the Jus-Rol face of British Pie Week 2009 after creating the best pie in Britain.
The Keystone’s Legendary Game Pie was awarded the prize by judges Martin Bates, chief executive of the Craft Guild of Chefs, Publican food editor John Porter, last year’s British Pie Week champion Mike Greer, and Sally Baxter from Jus-Rol, just days ahead of British Pie Week that runs 2-8 March.
As well as becoming the face of British Pie Week, Robins netted his pub a cheque for £500 and the opportunity to work alongside David Britton, executive chef of the Cavendish Hotel in London on a development day to create some new dishes for the pub’s menu.
Robin said: “I’m delighted the Legendary Game Pie has been recognised by the industry, homemade pies are such a big part of our menu and it’s fantastic to have been awarded for our efforts.”
The runners up for the competition were: Dambuster Pie by James Parsons, The Nothe Tavern, Dorset; Pheasant and Smoked Bacon Pie by Ben Francis, The Chequers Inn, Hertfordshire; Lamb Pie with Cheese & Apricot by Paul Cooke, The Dog & Muffler, Gloucestershire; and Liver Bacon & Mushroom Pie by David Hallows, The Cock & Bull, Cumbria.