John Burchall – creator of the award-winning pork pie in our Best of 2022 competition

And the tasty pork pie cooked up daily by Burchall’s in St Helens is now an award-winning treat after being crowned Pie of the Year in our Best of 2022 competition.

With comments like “it’s got to be Burchall’s”, “definitely Burchall’s” and “it’s an institution” in the nominations for this award, it’s easy to see why they’ve taken the crown.

The butcher/baker establishment on Westfield Street boasts five generations of a family business dating back more than a century with John currently at the helm.

The popular pork pies, which had people queuing round the block when the shop reopened after Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, are made using a traditional recipe that’s been handed down and tweaked over the years.

Customers couldn't wait to get their hands of one of the pies after lockdown

John said: “We only use locally sourced produce from Lancashire and occasionally from Yorkshire.

“We’re very fortunate that our customers like our pies so much.”

One happy Burchall’s customer Andrew Jones was so inspired by the shop’s history and place in the town that last year he created a model, made of recycled and donated wood and scrap plywood, matchsticks and lollipop sticks with Perspex for windows and a vinyl floor tile cut into small pieces for the roof.

The model now sits in pride of place in Burchall’s window for customers and passers-by to see.

John Burchall and Andrew Riding with the model of Burchall's (Image: Contributed)

As well as serving hungry customers in his shop, John supplies pies to The Mason Arms in Billinge and The Cricketers Arms in St Helens, and altogether sells around 500 every day.

John said: “I’m overwhelmed that we’ve won the Pie of the Year title.

“It’s very humbling to hear that people think so much of our pies especially when you consider how good the other finalists are.”

For more details go to facebook.com/pages/Burchalls/410227555720241

A tasty looking treat