Pie's the limit for newlyweds (From Northwich Guardian)

Newlyweds have giant pork pie instead of wedding cake

12:30pm Saturday 23rd May 2009 in News By Frances Kindon

A CAKE-HATING Northwich couple has shunned the traditional wedding cake – in favour of a giant pork pie.

Andrew and Amy Doyle, of Delamere Park in Cuddington, said ‘pie do’ over the 13-inch extravaganza at Tabley House, in Knutsford, on Saturday.

The couple – who first met on a prison service training course eight years ago – toured round the butchers of Northwich in a bid to find the finest meaty treat to serve to their 40 guests.

After a string of taste tests, the loved-up duo commissioned C Webb and Son, in Witton Street, to rustle up their perfect pork pie.

Andrew, 37, said: “Neither of us like cake so we decided to do something different. We went to a wedding a few years back and instead of cakes they had a pile of pork pies, it was brilliant.

“And I’m originally from Wigan, which is, after all, the home of the pie.”

Neither of us like cake so we decided to do something different. We went to a wedding a few years back and instead of cakes they had a pile of pork pies, it was brilliant

Andrew Doyle

The gigantic pastry dish was displayed on a traditional cake stand until the time came for the newlyweds to make the first slice.

Master butcher Steve Jarvis, who made the pie using an 80-year-old recipe, said the creation took more than five and a half hours to cook – a regular pork pie takes just 30 minutes.

He said: “I thought they were joking at first. I’ve never had a request like it. But I soon realised they seemed genuine and I never say no to a customer.

“I was dead chuffed with the finished pie, it was certainly fun to make.”

Andrew, who is a police officer in Manchester, and Amy, who works as a doctor, will now enjoy a luxury safari and scuba diving honeymoon.