The Kandy Bar Bakery has been named The World Scotch Pie Champion 2016, after winning the 17th championship.
Beating off competition from a record 100 entrants, the bakery from Saltcoats claimed its second competition success - having also triumphed in 2013 - at a ceremony hosted by presenter Carol Smillie in Cumbernauld.
Stephen McAllister, who owns and runs the business with his wife Rona, said: “To win again, I cannot believe it.
"To have been given the ultimate accolade today and once again to be able to call our pie the world champion, as judged by a panel of experts, is just fantastic.
"This award is proof that The Kandy Bar team is the best in the land. I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to selling more of our winning pies than ever.”
Carol, who presented Stephen with his award, said: “I had a feeling Stephen would be over the moon but even I couldn’t have prepared myself for the sheer elation.
"He knows what this win will mean for his business and I really do congratulate him for taking the title once again."
Head judge Ian Nelson, who chaired the process of selecting the best of the best, commented: “The competition, which has run for 17 years, aims to highlight that bakers and butchers create high quality artisan pastry products.
"Recognising the great and the good in this way rewards excellence and raises the bar in the industry.”
Alan Clarke of Scottish Bakers, who support the competition, added: "Once again we have brought together the best pies and baked goods in the land and today we can really celebrate the achievement of our hard working butchers and bakers.
"My heartfelt congratulations go to our winner, and indeed everyone taking away a prize, they are all winners in my book.”
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