TWO Stockport pubs hope to have the recipe for success as they go head-to-head for the title of best pie in Britain.

The John Millington, on Station Road, Cheadle, and the Nursery Inn, on Green Lane, Heaton Norris, are among 28 pubs shortlisted for the award as part of British Pie Week 2010.

Andy Hopper, head chef at the John Millington, has had his rabbit and wild mushroom creation entered after also being shortlisted last year.

At the Nursery Inn, chef Heidi Clark and kitchen manager Louise Wetton have come up with a chicken, leek and crème fraiche combination.

Louise, 43, of Heaton Norris, said: "I took over the job from my mum two years ago so she will be very proud of us. It was a fantastic surprise but we are very confident in our pie. Pies have changed and become more exciting – you can put all sorts in them now and they wouldn’t look out of place in a restaurant.

"It’s like a relationship – you need to give it a little bit of love and try new things."

Nominations were made through www.britishpieweek.co.uk and judging will take place on February 9 before the winner is announced during National Pie Week in March.

The competition has been organised by pastry makers Jus Rol and has seen a high number of entries from the pie stronghold of Cornwall.

Andy, 40, a chef of 22 years, said: "We sat down in November and tried to come up with something a bit different. A lot of older people had rabbit when they were growing up.

"It went out of fashion but now it is making a comeback. One of the secrets is to use good pastry. It doesn’t matter how good the filling is if the pastry is soggy."

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