A CULINARY career change for the two owners of an artisan pie company has given them their first taste of success at the British Pie Awards.

Neil Fletcher and Julie Martin, who operate Middlesbrough-based Pie Jackers, picked up two golds for their Hotshot Chicken Pie and their Steak, Guinness and Black Pudding Pie.

Former graphic designer Mr Fletcher and ex-journalist Ms Martin both left successful careers in the PR industry to start their culinary adventure less than a year ago.

Ms Fletcher said: “We’re pinching ourselves, who would have believed it, from PR to pies and we win two golds – we’re thrilled.

“We launched Pie Jackers because we wanted to be part of the growing local food scene, so to win two gold awards in our first year is just a dream come true.”

The Hotshot Chicken Pie, which is a take on the popular Middlesbrough dish – a Hotshot Parmo – contains chicken fillets, béchamel sauce, jalapenos, pepperoni, cheese pastry and is topped with garlic breadcrumbs.

It was ranked among the best pies served in the chicken and other meat pie category at the awards, with the Steak, Guinness and Black Pudding Pie earning gold in the beef and any flavour combination pie class.

Pie Jackers supply Sticky Fingers Café Bar in Middlesbrough and Oliver’s Fish and Chip Restaurant and Takeaway, in Redcar.