Pieministers - Fantastic Savory Pies

Just in time for the Olympics! If you happen to be in London this summer, you might want to stop by a Pieminister shop or market to pick up one of these savory pies because they are insanely delicious. Little History: Savory pie is a traditional London working-class food and was virtually birthed in London back in the 19th century, originating from the East end of London. The savory pie was a traditional way of preserving food, as well as in its smaller hand-sized form a transportable meal, protected from dirt by its cold pastry crust.

Pieministers makes 35,000 pies a week – some for grocers like Waitrose, Sainsbury's, and Whole Foods, others for delis and gastro pubs. But, like Wallace and Gromit and Banksy, Pieminister was born in Bristol. The kitchen has moved out to the burbs, but the original pie shop remains much as it was when it first opened in 2003. You can eat out (hot or cold takeaway pies) or in (on rustic cafe tables) from a simple menu offering about 11 Original pies and some occasional seasonal offerings. They have opened up shops all over London and as far away as Amsterdam.
One of the London shops I visited above 91 Leather Lane, London, EC1N 7TS

Among the selection of pies: the Moo Pie (British beef steak, real ale and herbs), the Thai Chook (spicy chicken with sweet potato and lime) and the veggie Wildshroom (wild mushroom and asparagus). All are made from fresh produce and free-range meat, packed inside a sturdy crust of delicious butter-rich pastry.








Moo & Blue Pie: British Beef steak with red wine gravy and long Clawson stilton blue cheese in lovely pastry.



My personal favorite below, the Thai Chook Pie covered in gravy: Free range british chicken, fragrant thai green curry, sweet potato, and lime in lovely pastry. I think I could eat this every day.
I need one of these pies anytime I go to London. They do online delivery, but unfortunately they aren't yet able to deliver to the US due to delivery restrictions on perishable goods.  However, they are working to one day be able to export over the water or may even open our own shop here in the US!  Washington, DC would be a great test site. We currently have a great pie place here in DC, Dangerously Delicious, but it is not quite as tasty as these fantastic pies from the UK. 

Pieminister  PMHQ, Pieminister Kitchen Charlton road, Bristol, BS10 6NF Tel: (0117) 950 4563 : Fax: (0117) 950 4568