Award-winning west Sutherland pie shop home to Scotland's best meat pies
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Lochinver Larder in west Sutherland could hardly believe its pies when it was presented with the award for 'Best Scottish Meat Pies'.
Owner John Snyder collected the award on behalf of his shop at the National British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray last week.
Over 150 judges from across the world descended upon the "pie capital of the United Kingdom" to assess entries in 23 classes from just short of 1000 entries.
The Lochinver-based business also collected a gold award for its venison and cranberry pie in the “speciality meat and game pie” class, while the chicken, leek and mushroom pie received high commendation from the judges in the "chicken and vegetable/herb" category.
Lochinver Larder was first opened by Ian and Debra Stewart in 1986.
Over the past 36 years, the shop has earned a reputation for its wide variety of pies, with up to 18 different fillings on offer from fresh poached salmon to goats cheese. Along with the Caberfeidh pub next door, the larder was bought by John Snyder in January 2020.
Hospitality director Duncan Cameron was tasked with transforming the pie shop into a larger hospitality venue, combining a pub, restaurant, bistro, deli, bakery, brewery and smoker – into one larger scaled destination – right before lockdown hit.
He said: "Because we couldn't do anything indoors at first, we introduced our 'pie shack' truck with outdoor seating by the river.
"It has proved really popular with visitors, who have been able to enjoy a pie while taking in the local views."
Despite their long standing reputation, this was actually the first time Lochinver Larder has decided to enter the British Pie Awards. In doing so, they also became the awards' furthest north entrant.
Mr Cameron continued: "It was tough to decide on which pies to enter. We have a core range of 18 pies, and some limited edition pies depending on the season. We have best sellers, but all of them sell well and are popular.
"It would be hard for us to say 'this pie is our best', so the overall title of Best Scottish Meat Pies is a great reward as it really speaks for all of our range."
Having been named as Scotland's best, the British title be next on their hit list.
"We plan to enter again next year. Supreme Champion is the biggest award at the British Pie Awards, so we might go for that. But we don't really want to do things too differently.
"It was mentioned at the awards that the judges think a good pie is 50 per cent pie, 50 per cent filling. The difference with our pies is that we are probably about 25 per cent pastry and 75 per cent filling. Our pies are really substantial and packed full of filling to compliment a delicate pastry."
Mr Cameron reserved special praise for his hard-working team of pie makers.
"We are really proud of our team who have embraced us following the takeover, and especially over a tricky period during lockdown. They have managed to keep the quality, taste and the range the same and winning this award is due recognition for their efforts."
The pie shop's overall achievements on the night included:
- The overall award for "Best Scottish Meat Pies”
- Chicken, leek and mushroom pie was “highly commended” by the judges in the “chicken and vegetable/herb pie” class
- Venison and cranberry pie was awarded “gold” in the “speciality meat and game pie” class
- Fresh poached salmon was awarded “silver” in the “fish pie” class
- Steak and ale pie was awarded “silver” in the “hot-eating savoury pie” class
- Savoury lamb was awarded “bronze” in the “lamb pie” class
- Pork, chorizo and manchego was awarded “bronze” in “cold-eating savoury pie” class
- Spiced butternut, sweet potato and goats cheese pie was awarded “bronze” in “vegetarian pie” class
