MELTON Mowbray pork pie champion Stephen Hallam has won recognition at the CLA Game Fair.

He was presented with the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) award for Outstanding Contribution to Food by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.

Celebrity chef Mr Hallam has been managing the direction of Dickinson & Morris at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray since 1992 and he has campaigned to win Protected Geographical Indication status from the European Union for the iconic pie, meaning any pork pie produced outside a defined area cannot carry the Melton Mowbray tag.

The award was presented by Mr Paterson with John Cross, chairman of the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), who said that local food and food origins had been the focus of one of the CLA’s long-running campaigns.

CLA deputy president Henry Robinson said: “The Melton Mowbray Pork Pie is about as British as it comes and we are pleased and proud to be able to recognise Stephen’s efforts by presenting him with our award.

“Part of our campaign has been to persuade other niche market food producers to capitalise on their unique identity and actually apply for EU protected status, which is an integral part of showcasing the quality and integrity of British food.

“We need to encourage our producers to take real ownership of our great British produce and we need to make sure people develop a far greater understanding of how their food is produced and where it comes from.”

The CLA Game Fair’s Totally Food Show is a celebration of local food, particularly from the area around Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, the site of this year’s CLA Game Fair.