To Pie For crown Sankey man as competition champion

To Pie For, off Station Road North in Fearnhead, creates a new flavour of pie each week, and recently opened a competition with the Warrington Guardian.

The competition welcomed entries from readers of the Warrington Guardian, who put forward suggestions for To Pie For's newest flavour of pie.

A whole host of entries were received, including suggestions such as Christmas dinner pie, halloumi and mint, and mixed grill.

However, a winning entry has been crowned, and it was sent in by Paul Shuker.

Paul's suggestion was chunky chilli beef, and it has earned him the top spot by those behind To Pie For's pastry.

As a result of him being crowned champion of the competition, Paul has seen his suggestion concocted by To Pie For's chef, Shane Neild.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Paul said: "Well I went to the artisan market held at Bent's Garden and Home, and spotted the To Pie For stall - but there was a massive queue.

"I managed to purchase a pie when they visited a market in Sankey, where I live, the following week."

The creation features chunks of steak in a rich chilli sauce (Image: Newsquest)

Sharing an insight into his thought process, Paul said: "I thought everybody would suggest things like steak and stilton, so I wanted to say something different."

Shane added: "We had a lot of entries, but Paul's was just a better idea.

"We had done lots of the others - and we had done a chilli one with mince, so this one was a bit different."

Paul managed to taste a prototype of his winning creation when visiting the pie shop on Wednesday, November 22.

Remarking upon Shane's creation, Paul said: "It's got a nice kick to it."

Shane explained: "It's got some dark chocolate in it, which gives it its shine, and they do that in Mexico - and I've swapped kidney beans for baked beans, because not everyone likes kidney beans."

Speaking about his ideas for future instalments of 'pie of the week' at To Pie For, Shane said: "There's a venison one coming in over Christmas - and maybe a chicken, bacon and cranberry one, too."

The chunky chilli beef pie features steak served in a rich chilli sauce, encased in pastry.

It will be available from To Pie For, off Station Road North, from Wednesday, December 6.