Pies

THIS founders

Pete Sharman (L) and Andy Shovel, founders of THIS © THIS
Investments & Acquisitions

THIS Receives Investment from Television Broadcaster ITV, Announces Pieminister Collaboration

British alt meat brand THIS has announced two new developments — an investment from the UK’s largest commercial television broadcaster, ITV, and a collaboration with pie brand Pieminister. As part of its Media for Equity programme, ITV will subscribe for £1.5 million of shares in THIS, with the option to subscribe for two additional tranches of £1.5 million each. In return, the plant-based meat brand will receive advertising inventory on the broadcaster’s channels and streaming service. It marks the first time ITV has ever invested in a food company. The news follows a string of successes for THIS in 2023, including an international launch in the Netherlands, listings at Boots and WHSmith, and the recent launch of plant-based roast chicken for the holiday season. Earlier …

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Clive's Purely Plants launches twin packs of pies

© Clive's Purely Plants
Products & Launches

Clive’s Purely Plants Expands Into Asda’s Freezer Aisle With Twin Packs of Pies

Clive’s Purely Plants, a UK brand producing plant-based pies and quiches, has announced it is launching twin packs of pies in the frozen aisle at supermarket chain Asda. The pies come in plastic-free packaging and are available in two varieties — chestnut mushroom with creamy tarragon sauce and saag curry with spicy potato and coconut. The launch comes as shoppers increasingly turn to the freezer aisle in search of longer-lasting and more cost-effective options; according to Clive’s, Kantar data indicates that frozen items are currently outperforming chilled products. “We wanted to create something that would be a great family meal, straight from your freezer, without compromising on quality — perfect for two people, no matter how big or small!” said Craig Blackborough, NPD manager at …

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© Jampa's
Products & Launches

Jampa’s: All-Natural Vegan Pork Pies Developed by “Ex-Carnivore” Chef

UK brand Jampa’s has launched all-natural, artisan vegan pork pies that it describes as “game-changing”. The pies were developed by Richard Fox — an “ex-carnivore” vegan chef and award-winning cookbook author — in his kitchen during lockdown. Two years of consumer taste testing saw an extremely positive response from meat-eaters, flexitarians, and vegans alike, with the product often said to be “like a pork pie, but better”. According to Fox, the pies generate around 70% fewer carbon emissions than conventional pork pies, and are free of artificial ingredients such as methylcellulose. “I wanted Porky Pies to retain their artisan status and as a chef, I flatly refused to create anything that wasn’t entirely natural or that would require ultra–processing. After careful development, I’m proud to …

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© Pieminister
Products & Launches

Pieminister Launches Vegan-Friendly Gravy at Waitrose and Ocado

UK pie brand Pieminister has launched its classic vegan-friendly gravy for retail in a ready-to-serve format. The company says it has been perfecting the recipe, which is also gluten-free, in its restaurants for the past two decades. Describing the gravy as “rich and full-bodied”, Pieminister suggests serving it over Sunday roasts, sausage and mash, casseroles, and more. Vegan options by Pieminister Pieminister is an award-winning B Corp-certified pie brand. The company operates a chain of restaurants of the same name, and its pies are also available for retail and food service. Pieminister currently offers three vegan pies: The Mooless Moo — jackfruit “steak”, ale, and pepper. Mock-A-Doodle — tofu with leek, smoked garlic, and white wine. Kevin — chestnut mushrooms, tomato, quinoa, baby onion, and …

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clive's purely plants quiche and pie products winners of the plant based taste awards 2022

© Clive's Purely Plants

Fairs & Events

Clive’s Purely Plants Crowned Twice at Plant-Based Taste Awards 2022

Among 21 categories with over 140 products judged in the Plant-Based Taste Awards at London’s Plant Based World Expo this week, Clive’s Purely Plants was awarded not once but twice for its popular vegan pies. The brand’s Organic Red Pepper Harissa Quiche won the Best Plant-Based Deli Product, while its Organic Coronation Chickpea Puff Pie with creamy coconut and apricot won the Best Plant-Based Pie category. Esther Pearson, Clive’s managing director, commented: “I am thrilled that two of our newest products won these prestigious awards. We are all passionate at Clive’s about showing that plant-based never has to mean compromising on taste. We are super proud of the exciting innovation from our recently accredited BRCGS AA Bakery.” Clive’s Purely Plants, formerly known as Clive’s Pies, has been …

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© Clive's Pies
Products & Launches

Clive’s Pies Launches New Vegan Quiches and Pies With Plastic-Free Packaging

UK bakery brand Clive’s Pies is set to launch three new vegan quiches and pies at Waitrose stores. The products are organic and use an innovative type of plastic-free packaging encompassing a compostable transparent window. The new products are as follows: Red Pepper Harissa Quiche with a pumpkin seed crumb Broccoli & Pesto Quiche with cashews, basil, and pumpkin seeds Coronation Chickpea Puff Pie with creamy coconut and apricot Clive’s products are usually packaged in boxes without a plastic window, but the company wanted the toppings of the new quiches to be visible to customers. Technical Manager Emma Chesbrough was able to source a transparent window made from compostable plant-based ingredients instead of plastic, which Clive’s says sets the brand apart from the rest of …

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© Clive's Purely Plants
Products & Launches

Clive’s Purely Plants to Launch at Asda After Being Chosen For Chain’s Incubator Program

UK-based vegan bakery Clive’s Purely Plants has been selected to be part of supermarket chain Asda’s Nurture Programme. The incubator programme helps emerging brands enter Asda stores nationwide. Clive’s range of pies and pastries will soon be available at 72 of the chain’s stores, and shoppers will be able to vote for which products they want to stay. The range includes Clive’s new Creamy Mushroom Puff Pie and Saag Aloo Puff Pie, as well as established products such as the Chickeny Puff Pie and what the brand claims is the world’s first vegan Quiche Lorraine. There are also gluten-free options like the Tomato & Olive Tart, Mushroom & Leek Pie, and Chickpea Tagine Pie. All Clive’s products come in plastic-free packaging. Growth and expansion Clive’s …

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© Higgidy
Products & Launches

Higgidy Launches New Vegan Pastries, Will Be 75% Meat-Free by the End of 2022

UK pastry brand Higgidy has launched two new vegan pastries, a further step towards its goal of making three-quarters of its products meatless by the end of the year. The new products are the Petit Pois & Courgette flavour Little Vegan Quiche and the Roasted Chickpea Masala Vegan Pie. The quiche has seeded shortcrust pastry and a filling seasoned with mint and chilli. It will launch at Tesco and Waitrose on April 11. The pie, which contains layers of creamy chickpea curry, will be available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Ocado from April 6. Higgidy has also increased its vegetarian range with three new quiches — Mediterranean Pepper & Feta, Garden Greens & Ricotta, and Petit Pois & Whipped Feta (the latter is limited edition). Additionally, …

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Beefy Puff and Ale Clive's

© Clive's Purely Plants
Market & Trends

UK: Vegan Category Receives Most Entries at British Pie Awards 

After a vegan pie won the top prize at the British Pie Awards two years ago, almost 70 of the pies entered into this year’s competition are 100% plant-based. Hosted in Melton Mowbray – famous for its conventional pork pies – the British Pie Awards has a group of 150 judges who test 800 pies over several categories, with the vegan category this year being the largest. The vegan pie category this year boasted some of the best food innovations, including spicy jackfruit, mushroom and ale, and bombay potato pies.   A survey conducted by alt-meat company Gold&Green Foods this year found that plant-based pies and pastries were the most in-demand for consumers, with 35 percent of respondents wanting more vegan options. UK plant-based pie makers …

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Clive's Purely Plants

Matthew Glover and Esther Pearson ©Clive's Purely Plants
Investments & Finance

Veg Capital Announces Majority Share in Clive’s Pies

Veg Capital, the UK vegan investment fund launched by Veganuary founder Matthew Glover, has completed a significant investment in Clive’s Purely Plants, the Devon-based producer of organic, plant-based pies. Veg Capital will now hold a majority share in Clive’s as it aims to ramp up production 400% and reach £10m in sales.  “This partnership has huge potential to further our mission of replacing animals in the food system, and we’re thrilled to be working together” – Matthew Glover  Known as an innovator of plant-based pies, as well as for its expanding range of vegan baked goods, Clive’s was founded in 1986 by Clive Lowe, who began selling the bakery’s signature ‘Creamy Mushroom Pie’ from the back of his bicycle. In 2020, the much-loved British pie-maker …

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Four'N Twenty

©Four'N Twenty
Food & Beverage

Australian Meat Pie Brand Four’N’Twenty Launches Plant-Based Pie to “Stay Current”

Patties Food Group has announced it will introduce a plant-based Four’N Twenty pie to service stations, supermarkets and football grounds in Australia this March. The meat-free pie will be made mainly from soy protein using the same pastry and seasoning so as to resemble the original meat version.

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