Congratulations to ESL Member Gwatkin Red Cow, in Abbeydore, who are are delighted to have won a Silver Award at the British Pie Awards last Friday for their Red Cow Pie.
There was tough competition with nearly 1000 pies entered in this national event.
The popular pie consists of Hereford Beef chuck steak, diced gammon and Butty Bach ale, all encased in handmade all butter shortcrust pastry.
The twenty-three-year-old recipe is a well-guarded secret and has had a bit of a journey around Herefordshire before finding its home and its name in late spring last year at Gwatkin Red Cow Tavern. The pie’s original recipe was shared with Chef, Dave Langford by his stepfather Paul Chicken. The recipe, although similar to today, very much depended on how Paul was feeling and what was on hand at the time! Dave refined the delicious but random pie with weights and measures and the recipe remains unchanged. The recipe is only known by Dave and his two brothers and has never been divulged.
It is truly a taste of all things Herefordshire so what better to name it after than the county’s Hereford cattle.
In discussion, Denis Gwatkin, restaurant owner and Dave both agreed that the best accompaniment to the pie was the award winning Yarlington Mill Cider, also produced on Gwatkin’s farm.
If you would like to try the pie, take a trip out to the Gwatkin Red Cow Tavern in the picturesque Golden Valley, where you will find never ending views of Herefordshire countryside, the farm’s Hereford Cattle, traditional Herefordshire Cider and, of course, Herefordshire’s most guarded secret, the Red Cow Pie on the menu.
Booking is highly recommended.
Make your reservation by calling 01981 551144 or find out more at gwatkinredcow.co.uk
The British Pie Award,s now in its 15th year, brings in entries from across the country and from bakers, butchers, pubs, sports clubs, fish & chip shops and other pie makers, judged by a team of 140 judges. The contest comprises of 23 different classes, or types of pie including traditional favourites and newcomers such as vegan and gluten-free pies.
This year in a surprise twist, meat-based pie entries dominated the top four classes for the first time since 2019, with beef pies topping the entry rankings.