Blyth baker in hunt to discover our favourite pie

May 11 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal

A BLYTH baker is on the hunt for the nation's greatest pie.

Ken Woods – also known as The Roving Pieman – has travelled the country selling his tasty pies and pasties, which are based on traditional medieval recipes.

The baker – kitted out in his trademark blue waistcoat, white shirt, blue jacket and feathered hat – tours medieval fairs and shows, bringing an authentic taste of history to period reenactments.

His carefully-crafted recipes include venison, wild boar with apple and Stilton, steak and red wine, hand-raised pork pie, vegetable wellington and poulet and wild mushroom. But he admits he is forced to make a few changes from the original medieval ingredients. “I have to adapt the recipes – otherwise they would be inedible,” he laughed.

“A lot of the ingredients were heavily salted to preserve them – there were no fridges in those days – so they aren’t very appetising.”

During his research, Ken, 47, has discovered a world of history behind culinary treats.