07-03-2025
‘Extraordinary' doner kebab concoction crowned Britain's best pie
A doner kebab concoction has been crowned Britain's best pie.
The 'extraordinary' recipe saw off competition from 900 other entrants to become supreme champion at the 2025 British Pie Awards.
The pie was created by Boghall Butchers, in West Lothian, Scotland, where it has already become a firm favourite with locals.
The third-generation, family-run business bakes 500 pies a week to keep up with demand.
Mariesha Boyle, 45, cooked up the idea following requests from regulars and then tweaked the recipe to 'perfect' it.
The pie is made with chicken and beef kebab meat, along with white and red onions, a chilli marinade and a sweet chilli sauce, with cheese on top.
Ms Boyle said: 'We were looking for something new, something different that would give us a wee bit of variety.
'They've been very popular – we can't make enough of them.'
The creation is a 'fusion pie' which the chief judge at the awards, held in Melton Mowbray, described as having an excellent overall bake with a tasty and well-seasoned filling that 'definitely had the wow factor'.
Some 35 other entries in the fusion pie category included chicken tikka, salmon 'chai-matchai', Caribbean-style jerk spiced turkey with cranberry sauce, and a butternut Malabar pie.
The overall winners have now been invited to Japan in October to showcase their pie as part of British Food Week at Hankyu Department Store in Osaka.
Boghall Butchers, which was previously run by Ms Boyle's grandfather, William Boyle, and her 68-year-old father Paul Boyle, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in May.
She said: 'To win this award is absolutely amazing. Especially this year, it's an amazing accolade.
'It gives my father something a wee bit special to celebrate.'
The family's passion for the business is further demonstrated by Ms Boyle's great aunt, Mabel Brown, who is still working at the shop at the age of 93.
Matthew O'Callaghan, chairman of the Melton Pork Pie Association and host of the awards, said: 'The pie is Britain's most important contribution to world food heritage.
'The British eat over £1 billion of pies every year; hot, cold, sweet, savoury and now gluten-free, vegan and fusion.
'These awards celebrate the skills and ingenuity of all those involved in pie-making, from traditional recipes to more exotic creations. It's been wonderful to be immersed in the collected passion for pies – traditional British fare, often showcased with a modern twist.'
