SUFFOLK is well known for many things - picture postcard villages, a glorious coastline and stunning countryside are just a few of its many accolades.

Craig Robinson

SUFFOLK is well known for many things - picture postcard villages, a glorious coastline and stunning countryside are just a few of its many accolades.

But it's probably fair to say that when it comes to pies it's not up there with household names like Melton Mowbray.

But all that could be about to change if organisers of this year's Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival get their way.

The hunt is underway to find Suffolk's best pie - and put the county on the map when it comes to the popular savoury snack.

Lady Caroline Cranbrook, president of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, said: “I think it's really rather exciting. In this part of the world we have fantastic food and very good pie makers. However nobody knows about them - we are hoping to show Suffolk people that this delicious product is right on their doorstep.

“We want to put the county on the map in the world of pies. In some parts of the country they have pie appreciation societies and pie clubs - we have a product that is just as good as theirs. Nobody associates Suffolk with the pie but I hope this will be the first step in the right direction.”

The competition was the brainchild of Bob Foyers and Karen Aldridge who own the Bistro at the Deli in Saxmundham.

Mr Foyers said: “We started off with the idea of finding the best pork pie maker in Suffolk but hopefully it will get bigger.

“There's a place in Yorkshire that prides itself in being the best pie maker in the county - and that's what we were hoping to do here.”

The Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival is happening at Snape Maltings on September 26 and 27 and it is hoped cuisine writers Tom Parker-Bowles and Matthew Fort will be on hand to judge the pies.

The competition is open to anyone in Suffolk who regularly makes and sells hand-made raised pies and as far as possible they must use local ingredients - large wholesalers are not eligible.

The closing date for entries is Sunday, August 30 and they must be delivered to the festival on Saturday, September 26 between 11am and midday.

For more information call Snape Maltings on 01728 688303 or email info@snapemaltings.co.uk .