A YOUNG girl from Shinfield in Reading has been shortlisted in a national pie competition.

Darcy May, 9, has been selected by an expert panel of judges to represent North Yorkshire in the final stage of a national cooking competition created by Vale of Mowbray – The Peculiar and Preposterous Pie Competition.

The competition asks children across the UK to create the most weird and wonderful pie.

Vale of Mowbray is an award-winning family-owned pie maker based in North Yorkshire that has been baking pork pies for over 90 years.

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The brand now bakes a staggering 80 million pies every year and is on the hunt for the next big innovation in pies that will take the country by storm.

Darcy is one of three children shortlisted in the age 9-12 years category and in with a chance of being crowned the winner of The Peculiar and Preposterous Pie Competition, which saw children get creative in submitting the design of their trailblazing pie.

Learning she was in the final, Darcy said: “This is awesome! I would love to win some goodies to share with my friends after being in lockdown for a year.”

Darcy’s flavoursome mini pies were filled with chicken and vegetable curry and a delicious twist of mango chutney. They can be eaten hot or cold so are perfect for picnics.

Darcy’s hearty creation named ‘Chicken Curry and Mango Pie’ has made the final following selection by an impressive judging line-up of food experts including Michelin-starred chef Michael Wignall.

It is down to members of the public to decide the winning peculiar and preposterous pie.

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To show their support and vote for their favourite pie design, people can go to the official voting page, accessed online. Voting closes at midnight on May 17.

At this final stage, a winner will be selected from each age category; 5-8 years, 9-12 years and 13-16 years.

First place in each will get their very own pie creation officially produced by Vale of Mowbray in an exclusive batch to share with family, friends and their school.

As well as each winner receiving an exciting bundle of prizes to help fuel their creativity and cooking ambitions.

Each of the winning pie creators will be able to enjoy a prize package including £120 worth of products from iconic home brands OXO and Russell Hobbs, a hamper of Vale of Mowbray goodies, along with a virtual pie making masterclass for their school.