PEOPLE might think that judging a food competition would be as easy as pie but, when it comes to tasting no less than 27 dishes in one day, it’s quite a task.

And that’s exactly what the judges of the Droitwich Spa Summer Festival Best Pie Competition undertook this week.

Stephen Hallam of the British Pie Awards, BBC Masterchef judge Charles Campion, festival organiser Patrick Davies, BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter Andrew Easton and Tony Archer of Ormerod Rutter accountants (sponsors of the pie competition) all munched their way through 15 pies from Droitwich retail outlets such as shops and butchers and then decamped to 12 local pubs.

Patrick said: “The entries were nominated by members of the public and they were all commercial pies that are either for sale in retail outlets or served in pubs and restaurants in Droitwich or within a 10 mile radius.”

A total of 150 people contacted the festival organisers with their nominations which were all made locally - there were no pies from national producers. “They were the best of Worcestershire. We were mesmerised by the nominations,” said Patrick.

“We started at 10am and finished at 8pm. It was a bit of a session!

“The pies varied from traditional Pork and Steak and Kidney Pies to Mushroom and Chestnut vegetarian and Pork with Rabbit, Chorizo and Garlic – so lots for the judges to get their teeth into!”

There was even one dessert pie – a raspberry and lavender meringue pie – to give the judges a sweet treat contrast to the savoury selection.

Patrick added that the pub pies were served as they would be to a customer but without any trimmings like chips, vegetable or salad. That would have been too much to stomach in one day!

Stephen Hallam of the British Pie Awards and chairman of the judges said: “The range and variety of pies was impressive and the quality overall was very good. I am very pleased to see this type of competition take place in Droitwich as it all helps to raise the standard and quality of pies sold.”

Patrick said: “There is nothing that Stephen Hallam doesn’t know about a pie. If there is something wrong with it he will know exactly what has happened whether there is too much of a certain ingredient, it’s been cooked at the wrong temperature or something has been added at the wrong time. We were very lucky to have him and Charles Campion.”

The winners of the Best Pie Competition will be presented with their awards at the official opening of the Droitwich Spa Summer Festival on Saturday June 20. It will be opened by food writer, food critic and chef Tom Parker-Bowles and Charles Campion at 10am and they will present the winners with their awards.

The festival starts on Friday June 19 and runs until Sunday July 5. Patrick says it will be bigger than last year with a total of 125 stands, more entertainment and plenty of fun for the kids. For more details visit www.droitwichspafestival.co.uk