Oakham's Kavanagh's Takes Home Award at British Pie Awards
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Gluten-free champion Kavanagh's, a family-run catering business in Oakham, Rutland, has risen to the top after winning an honor at the prestigious British Pie Awards.
Just three weeks after venturing into pies, Kavanagh's surprised even themselves by taking first place in the Free From category with their "Italian Job" Melanzane pie. The award-winning creation features a delicious filling of aubergine layered with parmesan and mozzarella cheese, all encased in Kavanagh's signature gluten-free puff pastry.
The win was particularly meaningful for Clare Kavanagh, who co-runs the business with her partner Martyn Baynes. Diagnosed with coeliac disease herself and later seeing her son receive the same diagnosis, Clare's mission has been to create gluten-free food that doesn't compromise on taste.
The victory wasn't without its share of drama. Just before delivering the pies for judging, disaster struck when a staff member accidentally dropped the entire batch! Thankfully, Kavanagh's managed to bake a fresh batch in time, ensuring their pies made it to the competition.
This award is a testament to Kavanagh's dedication to delicious gluten-free food. Originally a tearoom, the business transitioned to catering during the pandemic and has since catered to an impressive clientele, including royalty, private estates, councils, and hotels.
The British Pie Awards, known for their rigorous judging process, saw a record 147 judges evaluate over 1,000 entries across 24 categories. Kavanagh's win signifies true excellence, especially considering they were competing against established pie makers.
Clare's passion shines through when she says, "People think 'it's gluten-free, it's not going to be nice,' but I don't put anything out in the market you wouldn't enjoy as a non-gluten-free person." This award not only recognises Kavanagh's culinary skills but also paves the way for more innovative and delicious options in the gluten-free world.
