It was during the hazy, muggy days of the long, hot Summer of 2017 that we set upon the idea – the idea of an epic special pie, designed FOR the people BY the people. You see, being the miserable sod that I am, I just couldn’t enjoy the Summer knowing that Winter was on the way with it’s cold and wet and snow. Much like Ned Stark, I felt we needed to prepare.
What better way to fend off the cold than with one of the greatest inventions known to man – the pie? We got in touch with Pie & Ale, the fantastic establishment in the NQ, who are not messing around when it comes to their name, to design some pies for the Manchester public to vote on their favourite which would then become a special this Winter.
There was a choice of 3 pies available to vote on;
- The Mancunian Breakfast Pie (Locally sourced northern sausage, bacon, egg and Bury’s finest black pudding in a rich tomato sauce topped with two golden hash browns and baked beans instead of gravy),
- The Bee Pie (Honey glazed gammon with wholegrain mustard, onions, garlic, spring onions and apples in a rich elderflower cider infused gravy) ,
- Mancunian Caviar & Potato (Mint infused mushy peas, deep fried potato chunks and garden peas in cased in a vegan pastry and served with rich gravy).
After a week of voting over our social platforms, The Bee Pie came out on top with 52% of the public vote, with the Breakfast Pie earning a respectable 35%, and the Mancunian Caviar getting bronze with 13%. So, there it was – the public had spoken, and much like when they voted Will Young as winner of Pop Idol instead of Gareth Gates – I think they definitely got it right this time.
The Manchester Bee Pie will be available from the 8th January at Pie & Ale, right up until the end of March, so there’s plenty of time to try this culinary Mancunian delight.
Not only this, but the lovely people at Pie & Ale have decided to donate £1 for every pie sold to the charity Coffee 4 Craig, which has been set up to support and work with the homeless community.
Named after Craig White, who died of a heroin overdose in 2013, Coffee 4 Craig aims to provide homeless people and communities with support, better services and a bigger voice – something I’m sure many will agree is much needed within the city.
There we have it. Thank you, Manchester’s Finest! Ah, it’s okay, no problemo. It’s what we do. We want you to have an amazing pie on the end of your fork this winter – one which goes to help the city too. No worries. Oh, and if you want to buy us, well me, a nice pint when you see me in Pie & Ale – I’m not going to say no.
Pie & Ale, 1 & 2, The Hive, 47 Lever St, Manchester M1 1FN
0161 228 1610
pieandale.com/
