Bucks Fizz sensation Cheryl Baker – winner of the 1981 Eurovision song contest with ‘Making Your Mind Up’, and runner-up in last year’s TV series Popstar to Operastar – now knows a thing or two about pies as well as singing!
She presented Pangbourne pie-maker Michael Cripps with the national accolade of
‘Best Hot-Eating Pie’ for his Steak and Stilton creation – fine lean beef from traditional local farms with real English Stilton, cooked to perfection in his special gravy and encased in hand-rolled puff-pastry. Michael told her a little of the secret of his success, but was careful not to reveal too much – the room was full of butchers from across the country who had entered their products to the competition at Birmingham’s NEC.
Michael – who lives in Thatcham – also walked away with a Gold Medal for his Chicken Curry pie. His brother Christopher, who also works at the family firm Greens of Pangbourne, scooped Gold Medals for three of his flavoursome sausages – Pork Tikka Masala; Lamb, Rosemary & Garlic; and Pork Original.
The competition, organised by the National Federation of Meat and Food Traders, attracted hundreds of entries in 11 categories ranging from sausages and burgers through to ready meals and pies. All categories were judged live and awards of Gold, Silver and Bronze were issued for products achieving the required standard. Additionally, trophies were awarded to each of the category winners.
Greens of Pangbourne won the title Britain’s Best Butchers Shop during 2011.
