Butchers and bakers can enter their pies in 18 different classes. The awards are organised by the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association and take place on Wednesday 25th April 2012 at St. Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray. The contest is judged by a panel of over 70 pie experts, food writers and celebrity chefs led by Andrew Chisholm. Xanthe Clay, Charles Champion and many more knowledgeable foodies have already confirmed their attendance as judges. Matthew O'Callaghan, chairman of the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, commented: "We organise the British Pie Awards to celebrate one of Britain's most recognised food products. This event offers a great opportunity for pie makers from across the country to demonstrate their finest produce. The standard of entries is always very high. "To mark this important year, when the world will be looking in the direction of the UK for the Olympics and Diamond Jubilee, we have introduced new categories including the Celebration Pie class, for which pie makers can stretch their creative skills to design special commemorative products. "We are also grateful for the support of our sponsors and this year we can confirm that hospitality and catering news is sponsoring the 'Football Pie' class; Sturgess of Leicester, the approved Jaguar dealer is sponsoring the 'Beef and Ale Pie' class; the Bramley Apple Campaign is supporting the 'Bramley Apple' category; and Nelsons for Cartons & Packaging are supporting the 'Chicken and any Flavour' class."