To take part, chefs or caterers must create a pie using British ingredients and include on their menus during British Food Fortnight (20th September-6th October 2024).

The challenge allows chefs and caterers from schools, hospitals, care homes, restaurants, pubs, cafes and hotels to pit their skills against each other to take the title of Great British Pie Champion.

Alexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food, said: “There are so many talented chefs working across the UK. We are delighted to launch the Great British Pie Challenge for British Food Fortnight and encouraging all to enter and showcase the best of British food.

“Pies are a firm favourite and already on menus in hospitality and foodservice sites, our challenge allows chefs to be imaginative, use local or seasonal ingredients and create a pie that is memorable to judges.”

All pies entered must be created within relevant industry guidelines on cost/nutrition and entries will be assessed individually by the judging panel, led by chef and Love British Food ambassador Phil Howard.

Howard added: “As a long term supporter of Love British Food, I am delighted to support and judge the Great British Pie Challenge. Pies need to be created for menus using seasonal British ingredients and, as British Food Fortnight takes place in the Autumn, it is the perfect time to explore the very best of British food.

“Open to all chefs and caterers with differing budgets, judging will be fair and pies won’t be compared to each other. A few years back, Love British Food held an event at Elystan Street for leading players from foodservice and hospitality plus media. I was challenged to create a British seasonal lunch within the hospital patient meal budget (£2.80 per head at the time) to make the point to the then Secretary of State who also attended.”

For full details and deadlines for Great British Pie Challenge visit - https://www.lovebritishfood.co.uk/great-british-pie-challenge.