2019 PL Challenge Cup Round Quater Finals - Tadcaster v Ripon

Adjudicators: JK, AB, PL. Ruby (part-qualified)

Timing: 11:25 and 13:00

Prices: 1.20 and 1.40

The Adjudicators were met in Tadcaster by a Part 1 candidate from the East Riding Of Yorkshire, who was accompanied by his already part-qualified furry companion, herself attempting to pass her Part 2, and reach the coveted Fully Qualified and Accredited Adjudicator status.

The Adjudicators and Candidate had their first set-back, when it became clear that the Tadcaster Pies were still in the oven, and would not be available for another 20 minutes.

In the ensuing debate, one Adjudicator favoured an immediate sojourn to the pub, but the elderly Adjudicator was unhappy with this break from tradition, and insisted on going to the reserve butcher. The others rolled their eyes but humoured him, and set off, crossing the mighty Wharfe, before the elderly Adjudicator decided that the reserve butcher was too far away, and that it would make more sense to return to the first butcher, reserve the required pies, before retiring for a pre-match pint, at the pub, affectionately known to the Adjudicators as The Angel & Trumpet.

Unfortunately, once there, the Adjudicators faced a second setback, when they noticed all windows plastered with No Dogs Notices. Clearly the management had remembered Ruby’s first visit, when she kicked off and started creating after a few slurps of beer.

Unable to find another open hostelry on the west side, (right bank), of the Wharfe, the Adjudicators decided to not waste any more time, but collect and eat their pies. These were still hot, and some clearly leaked out liquid jelly with every bite, although this Adjudicator found that his Pie had already lost all it’s jelly, because of bad packing in the shop. The overall consensus was that the pies were good, of a substantial size, with a firm but not hard crust, and a well textured meat content. All agreed that the taste of the meat might be on the bland side, but were unsure if this was the result of them still being on the hot side.

Half-time drinks were taken at the Coach & Horses, (left bank), which prided itself on being dog-friendly, and Ruby, to her credit, appeared to have learnt her lesson, and behaved impeccably. On their way back to the car park, the Adjudicators ran into an acquaintance from their working days, who might well have thought them odd, but was much too polite to say so.

The journey to Ripon involved the crossing of a strongly flowing Ure, and driving past the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, built between the 13th and 16th centuries.

The Ripon Pie was pleasantly warm, with a crumbly crust, and a slightly more savoury meat content, surrounded by a setting jelly. However, it was a much smaller offering than the opposition. Post match drinks were taken in The Royal Oak, where the Adjudicators quickly concluded that despite some shortcomings, the Tadcaster Pie was the better overall eating experience. This Adjudicator was not wholly convinced by this argument, but accepted that he might be over-reacting to the lack of jelly in his own Pie, and was also conscious of the fact that an on-off toothache might be affecting his judgement.

We are pleased to confirm that both candidates passed their examinations, with Ruby in particular showing a dedicated and professional approach in trying to eat enough pie to be able to dispel any possibility of reaching the wrong conclusion.

And, for the record, I can add the technicians at the Grub & Whitehall Laboratories were also divided in their opinions, with one Lab favouring Ripon, and the other favouring the Taddy Meat, but the Ripon Crust…….though this might have been the result of the earlier jelly spillage, making the crust that much soggier.