“SIMPLY pie-tastic” were the words of Farmers Boy Inn owner Phil Kiernan this month after the restaurant and pie shop picked up another four honours at this year’s British Pie Awards.

The Longhope eatery - and “Supreme Pie Master” Richard Bodger of sister company Mad About Pies - have enjoyed considerable success at the national awards over the last decade-and-a-half and this year was no different, with a further two Silver and two Bronze awards to add an already impressive collection of accolades.

This year’s competition, which was held in the UK “Capital of Pies” Melton Mowbray on Tuesday, March 8, was a “particularly tough” contest with a record 976 entries.

The Awards were judged by 151 experts over 23 classes, including Pork Pies, Steak & Ale, Game, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dessert and Vegetarian.

And two of Richard’s pies were given prestigious Silver awards - a Herefordshire Steak and Smoked Applewood pie in the ‘Beef and Cheese’ class, and a Wild Mushroom, Spinach and Ricotta pie in the Vegetarian class, at this year’s event.

To top off those successes, a further two pies won Bronze honours - a Chicken and Mushroom with Mozzarella and BBQ Sauce pie in the ‘Chicken and Vegetable/Herb’ class, and a Smoked Haddock, King Prawns with Fresh Fennel and Tarragon pie in the Fish class.

Owner Phil Kiernan said of this year’s success: “We’re so chuffed to have our pies recognised with these national awards.

“We use locally sourced hand-cut Beef for our Steak & Smoked Applewood Pie. Also, winners this year were our Chicken & Mushroom with Mozzarella and BBQ sauce, Smoked Haddock, King Prawns with Fennel & Tarragon and our Vegan Wild Mushroom, Spinach & Ricotta Pie currently all available for a limited period.”

In total, Mad About Pies and chef Richard Bodger have won 44 British Pie Awards over the last 15 years, including several that have been ‘Highly Commended’.

Phil added that Richard’s pies are “the best in the South West without question”.

For more information, go to www.thefarmersboyinn.co.uk.