World pie awards held in Cumbernauld

Stephen and Rona McAllister of the Kandy Bar bakery in Saltcoats won the top prize at the Scotch Pie Awards held on Wednesday in Cumbernauld.
Carol Smillie with Kandy Bar owners Rona and Stephen McAllister. Pic: Michael GillenCarol Smillie with Kandy Bar owners Rona and Stephen McAllister. Pic: Michael Gillen
Carol Smillie with Kandy Bar owners Rona and Stephen McAllister. Pic: Michael Gillen

Over 200 butchers, bakers and other food industry figures attended the awards ceremony, compered at the Westerwood Hotel by Carol Smillie.

The awards, now in their 17th year, were judged by a panel of 50 experts and baked goods fans including celebrity guest judge Jim Leishman.

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It was the McAllisters who were named as the world’s finest scotch pie makers for the second time, having also bagged the prize in 2014.

A delighted Rona said: “This award makes a huge difference to a business, we are going to have to quadruple our ingredient orders to keep up with increased demand.”

Rona added: “We use only local suppliers and everything is made on our premises.”

Stephen is a third generation baker and the family business has four shops in Ayrshire, Founded as McAllisters in 1929, it changed its name in 1953.

Another big winner on the day was Falkirk butcher Thomas Johnston, who claimed the top award for sausage rolls.