Family firm turns the tables on famous names in mince pie taste tests

Thomas the Baker, based in Helmsley in North Yorkshire, has been handed second spot in Good Housekeeping’s hard-fought taste test for the best mince pie – just behind retail giant Waitrose and against competition from 17 other pies tested including products from Harrods, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s.

Judges awarded the independent, family-run baker’s mince pies 73 out of 100 for their homemade appearance, fruity filling and thin pastry.

Third-placed was Tesco Finest, with Leeds-based Asda Extra Special in fourth and Harrogate’s Bettys Classic in fifth, with only Heston from Waitrose scoring higher points.

Thomas the Baker General manager Simon Thomas said: “Winning the official approval of the Good Housekeeping Institute is an amazing achievement for us.

“It’s like Santa’s come early this year and given us the gift at the top of our wish list.

“We’ve worked very hard to get our mince pies just right, putting together the perfect combination of tender, crumbly pastry and sweet yet sharp filling. To receive this level of national recognition and to score higher than the likes of Bettys and Tesco is very sweet indeed.”

The accolade is the latest for the firm which has 37 outlets in Yorkshire and the North East. It was placed in the top 10 in four separate high-profile taste tests last year, outscoring premium ranges from names including Marks & Spencer, Harrods and Fortnum & Mason.

Earlier this year Thomas the Baker’s sweet mince filling was awarded one gold star in the prestigious Great Taste Awards organised by the Guild of Fine Food where it was described by judges as “virtually faultless food” with “good quality apple and zesty freshness”.

Mr Thomas added: “We’re obviously doing something right. If you want to get on Santa’s good side, you’d better give him one of our mince pies with his tot of brandy on Christmas Eve.”

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