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The Original Baker Strikes Gold at the Great Taste Awards – Our Chilli Jam Pork Pie Takes the Prize!

We are thrilled to announce that our Chilli Jam Pork Pie has been awarded Gold at the prestigious Great Taste Awards 2025 – a true celebration of craftsmanship, flavour, and a little bit of daring creativity.

This pie is no ordinary pork pie. Wrapped in our signature hot water pastry, it holds a British pork and smoked bacon filling, topped with a generous layer of sweet and spicy chilli jam. Each pie is finished with a golden egg wash and a scattering of chilli flakes for an irresistible finish.

What the judges said

The Great Taste judges were captivated by the pie’s distinctive personality:

"The pastry is well-prepared with an attractive topping and a firm base. The chilli jam offers a hint of sweetness followed by a satisfying medium chilli kick, with smoky bacon notes adding depth. The meat filling has a good, firm texture and gives up its porky flavours quite easily – this is a well-made pie."

They noted its bold appearance – one even drawing comparisons to Asian influences, thanks to its vibrant topping and the flavour interplay between the pork, bacon, and sweet chilli. The coarse grind of the pork, balanced with just the right amount of fat, brought a rustic heartiness to every bite.

Our smoky bacon was a standout feature, bringing richness that complemented the lively sweetness of the chilli jam. And, in true Original Baker style, the judges applauded the creativity, calling the pie “extrovert, almost eccentric – and we applaud that.”

A winning year for The Original Baker

This Gold Great Taste Award adds to an already glittering 2025 for us – following seven wins at the Farm Shop & Deli Awards and recognition at the British Pie Awards.

For us, the Chilli Jam Pork Pie embodies what The Original Baker is all about: taking traditional British baking and adding our own twist. We’re proud to see it celebrated on a national stage – and we can’t wait for more people to try it.