THE Kandy Bar has done it again!

The 2014 World Scotch Pie Champions have now been crowned makers of the Best Football Pie in Scotland – and best Junior Football pie maker to boot.

The Saltcoats-based craft bakers – who supply match day pies to Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Saltcoats Victoria and Ardeer Thistle – also walked off with a Gold award for their Scotch Pie, a Silver for apple tarts and a Bronze for sausage rolls.

Kandy Bar boss Stephen McAllister said: “Ayrshire football fans are very discerning pie eaters – they really know a good pie from a bad one.

“They travel the country following their team and the pie and Bovril can be as important as the match itself. Our customers already knew we were the best, but to get it in writing is a great accolade.” “The Scotch Pie Club competition raises the standard for the craft baker and gives the customer confidence.

“The standard and the quality has been raised and everyone is pushing hard to be the best and the customer is winning out of it.” The competition – now in its 16th year – had a record entry of 100 butchers and bakers submitting 567 pies, pasties, sausage rolls, bridies, savouries and apple pies, with some 300 hopefuls attending an awards luncheon in Cumbernauld.

Winton Rovers Chairman Dougie Rae said: “The Kandy Bar has shown what is achievable – from humble beginnings with their base in Saltcoats to national and world champion pie makers.

“Their success has been inspirational.

“Ardrosssan Winton Rovers must now rise to the challenge and follow their example.

“We must get out of the Ayrshire District League and play on the world stage!

“As Les McKeown of Bay City Rollers fame and one of the judges himself might have said, ‘Kandy Bar pies are shanga-a-lang-a-licious!’ “The Kandy Bar has a well-deserved reputation for excellence and has supported Ardrossan Winton Rovers for many years.

“Everyone connected with the club is delighted to celebrate their success.

“Come along to Winton Park on Saturday for our crucial match versus Whitletts and treat yourself to a delicious Kandy Bar pie served by our excellent sales team of Billy and Pat and support Winton’s bid for promotion.”