Artisan vs Supermarket – Steak Pie Challenge #Artisan vs Supermarket

Lisa Edwards
21st October 2016

We once again challenged one of Cheshire’s Finest artisan producers, putting their Steak Pies up against the supermarket competitors. We stuck to the classic Steak Pie with no other additions to its flavourings.  So off to work we went.

In the challenge we had artisan producer H.E Coward Steak Pie versus Tesco’s slow cooked Steak Pie, Ginsters Steak Slice, Tesco Finest slow cooked West Country Steak Pie and M&S’s British shortcrust pastry Steak Pie.

We asked judges to taste each of the pies as a blind tasting – they were not made aware of which Steak Pie they were tasting and judge the pies in Appearance, Texture, and Taste.  Appearance varied across the pies, the artisan pie and both Tesco Pies scored the highest with Ginsters and M&S a close seconding the same.  Comments that the artisan pie looked by far the best in its appearance although the pastry was quite pale.

For texture we found again that the artisan and both Tesco pies scored highest.  Comments on Ginsters pie being soft and cloggy and M&S rather poor quality and a little dry.  Comments were also made that the cheaper pies were somewhat gristly.  H.E Cowards pie had nice texture and good size meat compared with the supermarket brands making it the favourite all round in texture.

As usual taste was the most competitive category! and was the hardest to judge since it comes down to personal preference.  In joint last place for taste were Ginsters Steak Slice (which was the least expensive in price), and Tesco’s slow cooked pie, both were rather gristly and cloggy to eat and our judges were all unanimous in their scoring that these were their least favourite tasting.   Closely followed by the M&S and Tesco finest pies.  M&S pie was slightly sweet in taste.  The artisan pie scored best in the tasting category with quality tasting meat and juices.

The judges scoring had the artisan producer, H.E Coward Pies being the overall winner.  Having the best quality, flavour and size of meat with a soft and very tasty pastry.

Tesco’s finest and slow cooked pies came in joint second place overall with Ginsters scoring poor in all categories. Our blind tasting showed that artisan products really are worth seeking out and paying a little more for.

H.E Coward pies can be found in their Butcher shop in Frodsham and in various local produce shops in the Cheshire area.  We all loved them and are sure you will too.