A COMPETITION winner at the recent annual Pie & Ale Festival was once again back in the kitchen this week.

But this time he was cooking up his mouth-watering recipe under the watchful eye of Evesham Hotel head chef, Paul Napper.

Local businessman and amateur baker, Richard Jones won the judges over at this year’s festival with his festively-themed Christmas Pie, winning the Savoury Pie category.

Chef and festival judge, Paul was so impressed with Richard’s bake-off skills that he invited him to come and recreate his pie and see it served to invited guests in the hotel’s prestigious 70-seat dining room.

So on Tuesday (Sept 30) Mr Jones took to the kitchen and got busy preparing for a table full of hungry guests.

"The pie recipe has been passed down the generations by my family, so I can’t take all the credit," said Mr Jones.

"But it clearly impressed the judges at this year’s festival. Working with Paul was a little nerve-racking, but I think the diners enjoyed an early festive treat."

The pie was made using local meat from Master Butcher, Dave Purser including turkey and sausage stuffing, as well as apricots, cranberries and walnuts finished with a short-crust pastry.

Guests who enjoyed the lunchtime treat included, Town Mayor and councillor Charlie Homer, Debbie Rolls from Plan B computers, Clive Bostle, of the Battle of Evesham organising committee, councillor Diana Raphael, Toby Aiken and Mark Symington, both from Quicksilver PR.

Mayor Charlie Homer, who was also one of the judges at the festival, added: "An outstanding effort from Richard, beautifully served by the hotel’s restaurant team. It was also great to see head chef Paul passing on his knowledge and experience to such an enthusiastic amateur."