Danny Malin: From selling them on Leeds Market to visiting the home of pork pies

Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire has been renowned for its pork pies since 1851. While it was John Dickinson who opened Ye Olde Pie Shoppe here, it was his grandmother Mary who is credited with using the first wooden dolly to raise the pastry case which gives them that lovely appearance. She is considered as the originator of the hand raised Melton Mowbray pork pie.

I love the fact that such family recipes and techniques have survived the test of time. It reminds me of my grandma making pies and stews during the winter months.

My wife and I went down to the market town to try out the new extension to the shop called The Tasting Room. The shop and bakery counter has always existed in store but 18 months ago they built an extension called The Tasting Room which is a cafe where you can sample pork pies, scotch eggs, quiches and freshly made sandwiches.

We were invited to try the sharing platter which includes a range of pork pies, scotch eggs, and cheeses, because Melton Mowbray is also the home of Stilton Cheese. Alongside all this there’s a selection of locally baked bread, sliced meat, a side salad, pickles and chutneys.

I was shocked when the tray arrived - it was huge. You get big wedges of your chosen selection of pork pies which includes specially topped pork pies with Stilton cheese, black pudding or cranberry.

I chose more of the traditional pork pies including Dickinson & Morris, Mrs King's (Traditional, Black Pudding & Stilton) and the Stilton topped one as it seemed rude not to, being in the home of Stilton after all.

As I was doing a review for our Mr and Mrs Yorkshire YouTube channel I tried each item on the platter.

I like Melton Mowbray pork pies from the supermarket but wow eating them freshly baked from their bakery was next level. The flavours were popping in my mouth. I’ve never had pork pies which were so flavoursome. Each chutney was thought about too it wasn’t just some cheap sauce you lather on top. Chutneys include home made piccalilli, onion chutney and ale chutney which is called Painting the Town Red after the locally brewed ale they’d had made.

I couldn’t believe you get all this for £25 which includes two drinks. Not only was it a bargain but I was able to take the rest home in a doggy bag.

They even do huge pies for weddings and Christmas but as it’s my birthday this week I’m tempted for a pork pie cake.