A CENTRAL FIFE butcher has been named among the upper crust of Scottish cuisine after scooping a gold award for one of his savoury pies.

Tom Courts, who runs outlets in Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly, collected three awards at the recent World Scotch Pie Championships which aim to raise the bar within the industry.

Silver awards for the shop’s bridies and Christmas quiche were welcome, but the prized possession from this year’s championships was a gold award for a port, pork and black pudding pie in the hot savoury category.

The unusual creation from baker George White was a hit with the judges, a group of pie experts from across Scotland.

Tom told the Times, “The competition is one that gives the staff a chance to get involved with trying out new products. With experimental cooking it is very hit and miss, sometimes it’s very good and sometimes... not so good!

“Our port, pork and black pudding pie sounds like a strange combination but it comes together very well. The first time I tried I said I could taste all the ingredients and that is the sign of something that is well made.” North Ayrshire bakery the Kandy Bar beat off competition from 100 butchers and bakers to be crowned World Scotch Pie champion and Tom believes that winning it himself one day is no pie-in-the-sky notion.

Tom (pictured above right with Bert Hancock left and Christine McCormack middle) added, “The competition seems to grow in popularity every year. The one everyone wants to win is the world scotch pie championship, but unfortunately we didn’t win this year.

“We came second one year and it is the one you hope to carry off, so maybe next year, you never know.

“There are so many good butchers and bakers out there, so even to get an award is a feather in your cap.”