Huge pork pies delivered to front-line hospital staff

Cryer & Stott in Allerton Bywater baked the two whopping 2.5kg pork pies, capable of feeding up to 100 people, and then dropped them off for staff at St James’ Hospital and the Leeds General Infirmary.

The award-winning pies are usually ordered for weddings, but managing director of the company, Richard felt it was an idea gift for those working on the frontline during the lockdown.

Company spokesperson Jemma Flowers said: “Richard came up with the idea of giving something to the hardworking NHS who are risking their lives daily.

“With the hospitals being so busy we were told the staff are giving up their breaks and not eating properly. A pork pie is something that can be quickly grabbed on the go for the staff.

“Richard is friends with two NHS workers - Paul Lake who works in theatre at Jimmy’s and Charlotte Lake who works in paediatrics at LGI.

“He decided that rather than go to the hospitals, disturbing their work and put others at risk he would knock at their doors, leave the pies with a note and run.

“They were really surprised and ever so grateful. Charlotte text saying that the staff couldn’t wait to cut into the pie as soon as she arrived at work.”

Like most businesses, the multi-award-winning Cryer & Stott has been hit hard since the government ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Famed for its artisan cheese, some of which has even been served to the Queen, the wholesale side of the company which supplies hotels and restaurants has been badly hit.

However, the company has improvised by putting together ‘isolation boxes’ filled with pies, cheese and meats which are being delivered to their regular customers.