AFTER a busy judging day in Dunfermline where a panel of over 50 professional judges assessed each and every product on its appearance, quality, consistency and taste, Bayne’s the Family Bakers, of Lochore, has secured a slot on the shortlist of the 20th World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.

"Over 80 butchers and bakers entered close to 500 of their best products into 11 categories this year and the competition has been fierce so Bayne’s can be proud to have come this far,” said head judge Ian Nelson, on behalf of Scottish Bakers which manages the competition.

The Loanhead Avenue bakery turns out hundreds of pies a day for its shops in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and beyond and the Benarty bakers will be confident they can do well in this flagship competition.

"The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards is the only competition of its kind recognising excellence in the preparation of a perfect pie" said Alasdair Smith, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers.

"The competition is now a regular fixture on the calendar as butchers and bakers throughout the land vie for pie supremacy and the boost to their business that always comes with such a sought after title."

This years’ bumper crop of entries features more ‘products at their peak’ than ever before with accolades on offer for the best: Scotch Pie, Football Pies & Savouries, Macaroni Pie, Steak Pie, Sausage Roll, Cold Savoury, Hot Savoury, Vegetarian Savoury, Haggis Savoury, Bridie and Apple Pie.

The winner will be announced at a prestigious luncheon on January 15 at the Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld, when winner of the Scotch Pie category will be declared as the WORLD CHAMPION.