FORGET Pop Idol, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and Strictly – the title that really matters has a home in Shaw.
Locals really got their teeth into the Pie Idol competition, run to crown Oldham’s best made pie.
Entries were reduced to an upper crust short list of the Village Manor Bakery, at Waterhead, DH Lees butchers at Higher Crompton and the Shaw Pie and Mash shop on Jubilee Street.
And after the public had voted, Shaw’s corner shop emporium of pie delight took the honours much to the delight and surprise of their staff.
“At first we didn’t even know we had been nominated,” said Ryan Broome who works in the shop started by partner, Gareth May, nearly three years ago.
“So to find out we had won was an even bigger surprise! We can’t thank everyone enough who took the trouble to vote for us.”
Ryan and Gareth’s mum, Gill, produce hundreds of pies each week. And they are not only snapped up by Shaw residents.
“We get people coming from all over,” explained Gill. “They come on the tram which runs from East Didsbury.
“When the passengers found out where we are and what we make, they keep coming back.”
Ryan, who previously worked in a Manchester call centre before he discovered his baking skills, added: “All our pies are home made. We haven’t even got pie pressers like some places.”
There’s a variety of flavours to choose from, including long standing favourites, meat and potato, cheese and onion, meat plus specials ranging from chicken Balti to cheese burger. “I like them all,” laughed Ryan.
For more details of what’s on the menu visit: www.facebook.com/Shawpieandmashshop