2019 PL Challenge Cup Round 1 - Bedale v Richmond

Adjudicators: JK, AB

Timing: 10:50 and 12:20

Prices: 1.50 and 1.03

The Adjudicators found Bedale bathed in warm sunshine, and with two available sources of pies. The Adjudicators opted for the first one they had spotted, but decided to take one of each back for assessment by the technicians of Grub Village Laboratories.

The pies were pleasantly warm, with a crispy but not too hard crust. The meat content was well seasoned, and though there was little sign of jelly, was considered suitably juicy. However, one Adjudicator found that it did not maintain it’s initial taste, and each agreed that both the texture and appearance of the content left something to be desired.

Half time drinks were taken in the Black Swan, where the Adjudicators hoped to collect a free pint, as they were the first customers of the day. But sadly, it seems that this great tradition is not maintained, even in the market towns of North Yorkshire. However, as they downed their pints in the narrow beer garden, they did have the pleasure of listening to some old potato peeling device that had been in use for over 50 years, and had only recently needed to have a repair made to the motor.

The Adjudicators made the short journey to Richmond in good spirits…….but parking in Richmond proved to be a traumatic experience……and in they end, they had to park down by the river, leaving themselves with a steep, uphill climb to the market square. As if this was not enough, they also found that the self-styled Master Butcher did NOT sell pies!!! And to make matters worse, no pies were available at the second butchers shop. Forced to use the Pie Shop, the Adjudicators were further dismayed to spot that these pies appeared to be sourced from the same supplier as Bedale. The pies came warm……and were indeed very similar………though sadly lacking the novelty value of the first-pie-of-the-day……..and the “home advantage” of hitting a hungry Adjudicators palate. If anything, the Adjudicators considered it a rather uninteresting continuation of the earlier experience…….and quickly agreed to award the tie to Bedale. The huge difference in prices was noted, but not considered to be of enough significance to affect the result.

Post-game drinks were taken in the Black Lion, where the Adjudicators saw only one smile, (from the young girl doing most of the food serving), amidst a sea of glum and stern faces.

For those interested in such matters, I can add that as the Adjudicators returned via the scenic Uredale & Wharfedale route, they were pleased to see that all the pubs, including the White Lion at Cray, the Buck Inn at Buckden, George at Hubberholme, and the Devonshire Arms at Cracow, were open and thriving…..with many customers happy to sit outdoors, enjoying the warm sunshine.

This week……we are also pleased to add the Grub Lab Technicians assessment of the competing pies…….as ever, they provide further evidence of Adjudicator competence, professionalism and discernment.

PLCC Round 1, Grub Lane Laboratory report

The pies were initially photographed intact to complete the set. The photos have been passed to technicians in the Avondell Palace for uploading to the website.

The pies were cut in half to view the meat content & appearance. Both were pinkish & reasonably attractive. The Bedale pie appeared slightly larger, though a careful comparison of the outside dimensions showed that bother pies were, in fact, the same size.

In the taste test, the technician noted that the Richmond pie was more peppery - not to her liking - and that the filling was more dense, ‘not as nice as the Bedale filling’. The Richmond pastry was stodgy and not as tasty as the Bedale offering; ‘sort of claggy in the mouth’.

The overall experience of the Bedal pie was much more enjoyable and it was declared a clear winner.

A further lab test will be performed on the Cockburn’s pie in the near future and a report submitted.

Signed A Brushett

Secretary to the GLL.