Here at Yorkshire Handmade Pies, we’re on a mission to get the pie officially recognised as one of Britain’s national dishes; by having it added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Baked into our culinary DNA, pies have fed everyone from the working class to the aristocracy for centuries and reflect not only our national cuisine but also regional speciality. From the Devonshire Squab to the Shropshire Fidget, almost every part of the nation has created its own unique variety.
And whilst our nation has been the birthplace of many great dishes, we believe the pie deserves much greater recognition for its longstanding place in British culture and cuisine.
Every year countries can nominate one item to be considered for inclusion in the Representative List of Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the past this has included successful applications such as Neapolitan Pizza in Italy, Belgian Beer, and the French Baguette.
As a fundamental part of our cultural and culinary heritage, here are 5 reasons why we think the Great British pie should be recognised by UNESCO. Our Pie Manifesto, if you will!
PIE MANIFESTO
PIES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR HISTORY
Pies have been eaten in Britain for centuries, with the first written reference to pies dating back to as early as 1303 in the records of Bolton Priory, Yorkshire. Pies have fed people of all social classes over time from peasants to aristocrats and even Royalty. They’ve been enjoyed by everybody regardless of background or wealth.
PIES HAVE PLAYED A HUGE PART IN OUR LITERARY CULTURE
Pies are referenced in everything from Shakespeare to childhood nursery rhymes to Harry Potter. No other food has as many tales and stories associated with it as the pie does, cropping up more than any other food in our literary history.
PIES MEAN SOMETHING IN OUR LIVES
We’ve all got special memories of pies, whether it’s the meat-filled ones we enjoyed on the football terraces with Dad or going round to Granny’s for her special apple pie. They’re embedded into our national psyche and connect us with special moments in our lives. Pies feed our emotions as well as our stomachs.
PIES HAVE HELPED DIFFERENT REGIONS OF BRITAIN TO SHOWCASE THEIR INDIVIDUALITY
Not only have pies been a feature of national cuisine, but different regions of Britain have invented their own pies. No food has allowed different regional speciality to shine in the way the pie has. From Cornwall to the Outer Hebrides, every region of Britain lays claim to its own pie.
PIES HAVE HELPED US GET MORE FROM OUR FOOD
Pies have given us a way to utilise different ingredients and use up leftovers from other meals, helping to reduce waste and get more from our food. No food has offered us as much versatility as the pie. Other foods have come in and out of fashion, but the pie has been our faithful culinary servant and helped us through good times and bad.
Sign up to support our campaign!
If you agree that the Great British pie should be regarded as one of our national dishes, and recognised by UNESCO on the world stage, sign up and we’ll keep you updated on the progress of the campaign.