Meet the baldy Wigan chefs serving up a pie treat

Wiganers love a good pie - and they now have another high-quality choice in the town centre thanks to a new venture.

Alex Melling, from Standish, and fellow chef Chris Vernazza, of Billinge, are the brains behind Baldy’s Pies which has now moved to Clayton Street on the Miry Lane Industrial Estate.

The haute cuisine pastry business, named after the fact the duo are both rather bereft of hair, has only been operating since January.

They started off in the kitchen of The Billinge Arms before moving to The Crown at Worthington during lockdown, and now recently moving to their latest premises.

And the pair said their initiative is proving to be a real hit with customers, who are busy tucking into their homemade, locally-sourced fare.

Delicacies include The Kiev, which has garlic-marinated chicken, herb bechamel, garlic, thyme and a panko herb crumb, while they also have the Steak Patrick, consisting of Guinness-braised steak, mustard-glazed celery and beef fat potatoes.

For those a little more sentimental, pie-lovers can try the classic Wigan Kebab, which consists of any pie on bacon fat brioche, marrow fat peas, buttered mash, crispy onions, chives and Baldy’s signature red wine gravy.

Generally though the hearty pastry dishes are served as they would be on a dinner plate with those rich, traditional main course accompaniments.

Desserts and sides can also be ordered on the menu and there is an outdoor area for customers to enjoy a pie and their own drink.

People can also order to pick-up and the business has also launched a “Baldy’s cook at home” delivery service on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Customers can pre-order the day before and cooking instructions will be provided.

Chris, 33, said: “We get the best ingredients and add nothing to the pies.

“We treat all our pies with respect and season well, cooking pies to order and not holding them to dry in an oven. We do it properly.”

The pair have worked in top restaurants, including Michelin-starred Lancashire restaurant Northcote, and in kitchens from Spain to Australia.

But now the focus of the Wiganers is on pies.

Chris said: “It’s gone really well so far and people have been very supportive.

“We’ve not had a bad review yet so we must be doing something right.

“People have been enjoying the weather but it’s still been busy and it’s the same for all takeaways. It’s been

fantastic.”

To make an order for pick-up, people can call 0774 372 7551 or message Baldy’s on Facebook where more information on their new menu can be found.

Badly’s can be found on Unit 6, Clayton Street, Miry Lane Industrial Estate, Wigan, behind Arnold Clark.

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