While it was British Pie week last week, I found myself once again in Melton Mowbray and of course, there’s only one place to go when you find yourself in Melton, and that is to pay a visit to Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe to try a Dickinson and Morris Melton Mowbray Pork Pie (£1.70).

The Melton Mowbray bit is important. For this is a geographically protected pie. The town of Melton Mowbray, home for over twelve years to the British Pie Awards, is a hub of pie based activity. It is the only place I have seen signs directing people to Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe as well as the usual bus station and public toilets. Upon entering the town, proudly proclaims to be the Rural capital of food and drink. You’ll get no arguments here!

The Dickinson & Morris pork pie is generally considered to be the daddy of this variety, with sizes ranging from a party sized, hand held version to pies as big as your head.

It is a hand raised pie with uneven top crust and bow shaped sides, a flat, crunchy base and is encased with hot water pastry and a layer of jelly.
The pork meat is coarse and uncured giving off a greyish pink colour, lightly seasoned with a salt and pepper blend.

It has an authentic, robust taste and the meat slowly melts in the mouth to satisfy every corner from the glistening pastry to the full flavoured sausage meat. It is simply a must try pie on your bucket list.