Dumfries baker earns a crust by winning 20th Scotch Pie World Championship

A bakery from Dumfries has won the 20th World Championship Scotch Pie Award.
Carol Smillie presents winning baker Kerr Little of The Little Bakery with the 20th World Championship Scotch Pie Award. Picture: John DevlinCarol Smillie presents winning baker Kerr Little of The Little Bakery with the 20th World Championship Scotch Pie Award. Picture: John Devlin
Carol Smillie presents winning baker Kerr Little of The Little Bakery with the 20th World Championship Scotch Pie Award. Picture: John Devlin

Kerr Little of The Little Bakery said he “absolutely nailed everything” with his winning pie.

The pie-shaped trophy was presented by TV host Carol Smillie at a ceremony in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, yesterday.

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The judges were looking for a balanced filling with the right seasoning, but the pastry shell – which must be completely round with straight edges – is perhaps most important of all.

Mr Little said: “I am speechless. To have been given the ultimate accolade today and to be able to call our pie the world champion as judged by a panel of experts is just excellent.

“This award is proof of what I have known for a long time – that The Little Bakery team is the best in the land. I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to selling more of our champion pies than ever.”

He added: “This has been a special day. This is something that we never imagined. We have always entered and tried, but never to think we would reach the pinnacle.

“The challenge now going forward is even greater.”

The 75-year-old started the business “from scratch” with his son Nic, who does the baking, six years ago.

They employ almost 20 staff and have previously finished runner-up in the category.

Already well known at farmers’ markets across Dumfries and Galloway, last month The Little Bakery opened its first retail shop in the town of Kirkcudbright, taking over the premises of another bakery that was closing and creating ten new jobs in the process.

Alasdair Smith, chief executive of Scottish Bakers, said: “When it comes to Scotch pie there are so many components to get right.

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“There’s making sure the shell is the right thickness, the quality of the meat in the filing has to be top notch, seasoning with spices and cooking and the way it’s finished off – so many variables.

“It’s such a simple looking product, but such a complex thing. Kerr absolutely nailed everything – it looked great, tasted great – and it shone above all the other entrants.”

More than 80 butchers and bakers entered over 450 pies, sausage rolls, bridies, savouries and apple pies into the competition. Some 200 hopefuls attended the awards, with 11 category winners selected.

Ms Smillie said: “I have announced the winner for four years in a row now and I know what it means to win so I am delighted for The Little Bakery and for what the year ahead holds.

“But for every winner here today, they can be proud and I hope they all see business boom as they all enjoy their well-deserved success.”

Now in its 20th year, the competition is anonymously judged by 50 industry experts and professionals, with the best entries for various categories awarded bronze, silver, gold and diamond awards.

As well as the coveted Scotch Pie award, other categories include Sausage Roll, Bridie, Apple Pie, hand held Steak Pie, Hot or Cold Savoury, Haggis Savoury, Vegetarian Savoury and Best Football Pie or Savoury. The Macaroni Pie category was added in 2017.

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