In the medieval era, the dish ‘Pie’ word is originated and also is a reference to the magpie bird. Magpie is renowned for collecting random objects in their nests. Using up a collection of several ingredients including different types of animal meats made pies during the medieval era (476 AD to 1450 AD). Pies were made like pastry in that era.
Ovens were not always readily available in medieval Britain. So pies were made easily over an open flame. Pies in an open-top were called ‘traps’ and pies with a lid were called ‘coffyns’ which actually translated to meaning a box. The pastry was not to be eaten like nowadays but they hold all the ingredients together.
Sweet pies began to appear at that time; due to the high cost, these were often referred to as tarts and were not usually sweetened with sugar, so fruits gave the flavour. In the 13th Century, eating grinding pies as part of the festival celebrations became commonplace. Minced meats, fruits and spices mixture were used to make these. This practice was then banned for 16 years and the ban was removed in 1660.
These days there are many variations across the world. The key elements in the pastry need to be baked together with the pie filling and if there is a discussion about shape, is like a ‘patty’ or a ‘pie’ or can look like a ‘samosa’.
In 2007 Jus-Rol, a British pastry-rolling company founded British Pie Week. It was actually initially created as part of a marketing campaign by this pastry company to increase their sales and encourage people to make pies at home. Then, it found a way of its own and is celebrated by a number of restaurants, pubs and food suppliers across the whole UK. The focus was shifted from making pies at home to celebrating the wide variety of pies across the UK, as well as celebrating everything related to Pie in 2016, the website Pierate also decided to take over the holiday, baking hundreds of pies and sharing the recipes online with their followers. Each year, Pierate holds competitions like Jus-Rol Pastry Company and ranks pies based on their taste and construction, inspiring others in Britain to do the same.
The first week of March every year is celebrated as ‘British Pie Week’. In Britain Pie was a baked dish consisting of a savoury or sweet filling and enclosed in or covered with a pastry. It was considered that in the Last year, Bowring Butchers made the U.K.’s best pie. Mashed potatoes and Meat made that excellent dish.
This year ‘Pie Week’ will start on 7th March and the week will end on 13th of March 2022.
There are some British pie activities during ‘Pie week’. The Flavors are endless with hundreds of recipes to choose from. This week will be a perfect opportunity to bake one’s favourite pie recipe. Choosing a recipe for anyone who likes to try it out and inviting friends and family over to sample the end product.
Jus-Rol, as well as other platforms such as Pierate, holds annual pie-baking contests. If anyone is an excellent baker, this is the time to shine. By baking a pie of one’s choice and entering one of the online competitions to receive the rewards.
British Pie Week is celebrated across England. Several Restaurants, organizations and websites have come up with great ideas and interesting events to celebrate this week with everyone who wants to enjoy and explore the potential people have. So finding an event happening near anyone interested can pick a few days in the week to attend.
