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Pie-oneer baker calls ten awards wins 'mega'

Ewan Gawne
BBC News, Manchester
Baldy's Dark Kitchen Alexander Melling stands to the right of another man under a advertising hoarding for the British Pie Awards. Baldy's Dark Kitchen
Alex Melling (right) won ten prizes at the British Pie Awards with his gourmet pies

A pie maker who broke the mould with his gourmet creations in a town dominated by traditional pie shops has said he felt "mega" after scooping 10 British Pie Awards.

Though Alexander Melling from Baldy's Dark Kitchen in Wigan failed to take the top 'Pie of Pies' prize, his entries won ten separate gongs at the annual competition in Melton Mowbray.

His pies are filled with exotic concoctions included venison with black garlic ketchup and short rib beef with pistachio crumb.

Mr Melling said his success had come due to the support of Wigan locals, but added: "I could put anything in a pie now and I think they would buy it without even having to ask."

Baldy's Dark Kitchen A row of different-flavoured pies lined up on white plates on a stainless steal kitchen workspace. Baldy's Dark Kitchen
The piemaker says no-one in Wigan was making pies stuffed with artisan ingredients before him

A Scottish butcher's kebab pie took the top spot.

Tom De Terre in Chorlton and Town Street Fryer in Stockport were also among the pie ward winners from Greater Manchester at this year's event.

Mr Melling told BBC Radio Manchester he wanted to "win the big one, supreme champion, but it wasn't my year this year".

He added: "But to come away with 10 is mega, best year yet, and every pie entered won something, usually it's a 50% success rate."

Baldy's Dark Kitchen Alex Melling from Baldy's Dark Kitchen stands holding a certificate to the right of a competition judge and another competition winner at the British Pie Awards. Baldy's Dark Kitchen
Alex Melling (right) finished in the highest category for each pie he entered

Mr Mellings' baking career began in 2020 after a difficult period when he had lost his job and his father in the same year.

"I was in two different places and I didn't know what to do, and then I just decided that I'd have a go at artisan pies," he said.

The piemaker said: "I mean I'm from Wigan, no-one does artisan pies, we have really traditional pie shops but nothing that was a bit different."

After a challenging time establishing his business, he said he now had a legion of local customers who supported him after years of hard work.

"I think they trust in what I do," he added.

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