A former police officer turned pie-maker from Wilmslow has scooped four awards at The British Pie Awards to add to his already long list of accolades.
Neil Broomfield, of Tudor Green, has picked up a gold award for his steak and oyster stout pie with nettles and homemade bramble jelly, a gold award for his goat's cheese, beetroot and orange pie with pine nuts, a silver award for the classic Lancashire cheese and onion pie and a bronze award for his mutton toasted barley and swede pie.
Neil, 34, started his business in 2008 as a part-time hobby but following on from last year's awards and his previous accolades Neil decided to end his career as a police officer and went full time with his pie man dream.
He was joined by his girlfriend Sarah Carey in January who helps out in all areas of the Great North Pie Co and in February they took on their first employee Tony, who works on the production side of the business.
Neil said "I can't believe it, I'm always looking to improve what we do and I'm only interested in trying to make the best pies we can. It shows that we are doing the right things.
"I have never set out to be the biggest company, I love food, I just wanted to make something of real quality. Maybe the best thing about winning awards is that we were able to showcase other regions products in our pies. We used an oyster stout from Red Willow brewery in the steak and ale pie and Claire from Galore made us an amazing marmalade to go in the beetroot pie.
"There seems to be a group of us in the area who are hugely passionate about what we do, and I think it shows in our products. I am very lucky to have the support of my family and I have some great people working with me. Without them I could not have done this and it just goes to show that sometimes the old fashioned way of doing things gets you the results you deserve."
The Great North Pie Co doesn't have a set menu as Neil continually changes the pies based on what local produce is in season. He runs four flavours alongside each other, all of which are hand made using his own all butter pastry recipe.
Neil's pies are available to purchase from the monthly Wilmslow Artisan Market and other farmers markets in the area.
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