World Scotch Pie championship winner announced - and the ‘secret' recipe behind it
James Pirie & Son of Weymess Bay has claimed the much sought-after top prize at the prestigious 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, announced on Saturday 10 May at the Hilton, Glasgow - marking the competition's 25th anniversary.
In April 2024 Alan and Norma Pirie, owners of James Pirie and Son, which closed earlier that month, sold their world-beating scotch pie recipe to McCaskie's Butcher and Café of Wemyss Bay.
The multi-award-winning Inverclyde butcher, which was crowned the UK's Butcher Shop of the Year, now owns the Pirie brand, coveted recipes and intellectual property. And it's that secret recipe that has seen the pie be, once again, crowned the best.
James Pirie and Son won World Scotch Pie Championship award in 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020 and 2018.
This year's competition saw over 539 products entered by 88 companies from the country's finest butchers, bakers, and pie makers, each showcasing their skills, passion, and craft in pursuit of the coveted titles.
Following an intense judging day, 50 expert judges assessed entries for taste, appearance, smell, and texture across multiple categories - from the iconic Scotch pie to football pies and savouries, macaroni pies, steak pies, sausage rolls, hot and vegetarian savouries, haggis savouries, bridies, and apple pies.
Reflecting the ever-evolving pie industry, the 2025 competition also introduced two exciting new categories, lighter options and retailer pie product of the year, further raising the bar for innovation and excellence.
Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, said: 'This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
'It's a true testament to the passion, skill, and dedication of our butchers, bakers, and pie makers who continue to set the standard for quality and innovation in our industry.
'Our winners should be incredibly proud - to stand out in such a fiercely competitive field is an outstanding achievement. We're delighted to celebrate Scotland's pie makers, our 'Pieoneers', who keep our rich culinary heritage alive while pushing the craft forward."
The 2025 Awards were officially launched at Hampden Park with football legend Kris Boyd kicking off the countdown, and this year also saw the introduction of Scottish Bakers' 'Pieoneers' campaign, celebrating 25 years of craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication in Scotland's thriving pie industry.
Scottish Bakers, the association supporting Scotland's bakery trade, organises the competition to showcase the skills behind the nation's much-loved pies - lovingly made from scratch using quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Carol Smillie presented the awards to the winners saying: "I am always thrilled to be part of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of Scotland's butchers, bakers and pie makers.
'Every year, I am amazed by the passion and craftsmanship that goes into creating these delicious pies, and it's fantastic to see both familiar faces and exciting new talent taking part. The high standard of entries proves that the industry continues to thrive, with more professionals than ever showcasing their skills.
'Congratulations to all of this year's winners, your hard work and commitment to quality truly deserve to be recognised."
For more information, visit the World Champion Scotch Pie Awards website.
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