Kay credited with sales surge

Sales of pies are soaring – and it’s all being credited to Peter Kay.

Marks and Spencer say they’ve sold five per cent more pies this year and predict a 45 per cent surge over Christmas.

And one expert attributes the comeback to Kay talking about them in his act.

Peter Charnley, secretary of the Pork Pie Appreciation Society, said: ‘Peter Kay talking about pies is definitely a help.

‘It's not surprising he's a fan. He's a good northern lad and northerners eat a lot of pies.’

But Kay’s days as unofficial pie spokesman could be numbered. Last year he reportedly went on a diet, giving up his favourite meat and potato pie. And he’s even got a spoof Max And Paddy fitness video coming out this Christmas.

However, Welsh chef Mary-Ann Gilchrist had another reason for the resurgence of the pies, saying it was a backlash against increasing health advice.

She said: ‘There's been so much said about what we can and can't eat by the food police that people have got a bit fed up of it. People don't like being told what they should eat, and the fact pies are getting more popular again is probably to do with people hitting out at that.’

 

Published: 5 Dec 2005