It’s British Pie Week and what better way to celebrate than to tuck into a limited edition pie creation from Bristol’s very own Pieminister. Dubbed its cheesiest pie offer ever, we couldn’t wait to sample the ‘Big Cheese Stack‘ which is available for this week only, and will then be gone.
And we’re really rather sad by that fact. Priced at £14, around the same price as a standard pie meal on the menu, this dish features a pie stuffed with vintage cheddar, potato, leek and emmental with cider, atop a mozzarella and cheddar mash, a halloumi, gherkin, pickled onion, and jalapeno skewer, and sprinkled with a crispy onion and cheesy Wotsits crumb. What’s more, there was even Branston pickle gravy – something you could smell the moment it arrived, but in the best possible way (and that’s coming from someone who isn’t a usual fan of Branston pickle).
Before our visit, myself and my dining partners didn’t know quite what to expect from this mammoth cheese pie feast. The Branston pickle gravy sparked its own separate discussion in the office, too – would it work or would it ruin the pie? We can tell you it worked, and there seems to be much talk of this gravy flavour possibly even sticking around beyond Pie Week, too.
As soon as it arrived, we were all impressed with the size and look of the ‘Big Cheese Stack’. You get plenty for your pounds. The pie was perfectly cooked, generously filled, and the flavours were so good that the other pies on our table, while delicious in their own right, couldn’t really compare. It was a glorious cheesy feast for all the senses, and I would happily choose it again and again and again.
If you’re a lover of a cheese pie, then this is a must try. The crust was crispy and flaky, the filling was moreish and by no means sickly and, when paired with the genius Branston pickle gravy, made for something truly special. It was the perfect balance.
A mozzarella infused mashed potato was an incredible idea, too. The mash at Pieminister is insanely good in itself, but this just added another level to what is already a warming, filling and wholesome dish.
While cheesy in terms of ingredients, and a proper novelty pie dish, it was actually filled with sophisticated flavours and textures. And the added element of one of Pieminister’s iconic ‘sticks’ (skewers) containing some of the best accompaniments to cheese (and even an extra piece of cheese), made it feel like you were dining on a far more satisfying version of a posh cheese board.
This was West Country dining at its finest. Can we keep it on the menu forever please?
The ‘Big Cheese Stack’ will be available at Bristol’s Pieminister restaurants until March 9. You’ll even be able to spin a cheese wheel with a chance of winning a special prize.