Pies, Glorious Pies by Amy Middleton
Whether sweet or savoury, pies are a dish that can be enjoyed all year round, but they are particularly perfect as comfort food to be enjoyed in the dark and cold wintery evenings. The pie is a Scottish culinary staple, a masterpiece of gastronomical engineering, and contrary to popular opinion they don’t always have to be stodgy and bland. A truly good pie should be a feast of flavour and texture. Taste Magazine takes a look at some of the most succulent, imaginative and creative pies on offer in Scotland ahead of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
THE WEECOOK KITCHEN - CARNOUSTIE Award-winning pie makers The WeeCOOK Kitchen are based at Barry Downs Holiday Park near Carnoustie in Angus. The family-run company has built a reputation for fresh, flavoursome pies and friendly service. Specialising in dishes inspired by family traditions, local and seasonal produce, their signature dishes include the Beef Steak Bourguignon Pie, which was awarded a Silver Medal at the British Pie Awards 2020 and the Chicken & Bacon Pie, winner of a Great Taste Award 2019. The WeeCOOK Kitchen regularly attend farmer markets in Montrose, Forfar, Dundee, Arbroath and Bowhouse, and operate The WeeCOOK Pie Store in Dundee’s Wellgate shopping centre on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
PIE DOLLY - LEITH
Leith Market legends Pie Dolly have been lovingly crafting artisan pies in the capital since 2016. Their bestseller is undoubtedly their traditional Pork Pie that is always a guaranteed sell-out and is also stocked at various places across the city such as IJ Mellis Cheesemongers. Operating a stall at Leith Market most Saturdays, Pie Dolly rotates a selection of their favourite pies such as the Spiced Lamb & Apricot alongside sausage rolls and quiches. Their seasonal pies are always incredibly popular too and favourites include the Hot Cross Bunny Pie, which uses rabbit from Castle Game Scotland in Linlithgow and their Christmas special of pheasant, chicken, and smoked bacon with cranberries, juniper and thyme.
CLARK’S – DUNDEE
Clark’s Bakery is a Dundee institution that operates 24 hours. It is probably unlike any other bakery you will have visited offering an extensive selection of pies with a myriad of fillings as well as baguettes, pizzas, doughnuts, cakes, and fresh baked rolls. With a passion and respect for traditional baking, Clark’s have been based in Dundee for over 60 years after founder Ernest Earle Clark started producing freshly baked goods from the back of his corner shop on Annfield Road in 1950. Clark’s now has nine bakeries and a butchery that supplies all the meat for its pies and slices.
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