Gary is a pie-oneer for pastry!

Gary with the Holland’s Product Development Manager, Maria Yuste

Gary is part of a team of 15 tasters known as the Pie Panel, who have the difficult job of working with the Holland's team to review the quality of each and every one of Holland's pies and puddings.

A new cheese and onion pie, made with mature cheese sourced in Lancashire and produced from the milk of cows grazed either on Bowland fells or Fylde pastures, is the first entirely new recipe to be launched as a result of their efforts. It's also the first ever Holland's Pie to be awarded Vegetarian Society approval.

We asked Gary more about the Pie Panel...

How did you hear about the taster job?

"I heard about the job through my friends - they knew how big a fan of pies I was, so they all called me to let me know about the article advertising the job. There wasn't an interview as such, but I had to e-mail in a short explanation of why I thought I would suit the role, and having passed that we all had to go to an assessment centre to demonstrate our tasting abilities."

What makes a good pie taster?

"I am into cooking, and more importantly, eating, so I think attention to detail helps. Plus pies are one of my favourite snacks so I know what I like."

What's your favourite pie? Has this changed since you became a taster?

"It's a tie between steak puddings and meat and potato pies. They haven't changed since I became a taster but I know a lot more about them now."

How often do you meet up with the Panel?

"About every two months. The first meeting was at the start of December last year."

What actually happens at the taste testing meetings?

"It varies depending on what Holland's want from us. Mainly it's a series of 'blind taste tests', where we are asked to try old and new versions of products and asked to compare them.

Do you think it makes a difference that the ingredients are sourced locally?

"Definitely - it means that quality is the driving factor instead of cost. Not only does it give a tastier product, but it is contributing to the local economy by supporting local producers."

Are your mates jealous of all the free grub?

"No, but only because I get an allowance for free pies which I share out with them all!"

Which celeb would you like to share a pie with?

"Gemma Atkinson, but I don't think a pie supper would be the most romantic first date!"

Best accompaniment to a pie?

"Another one!"

If you could invent a new filling, what would it be?

"Chilli con carne. I don't know how it would taste but it's the only thing I can think of that hasn't already been put in a crust."

What three things are important for a good pie?

"Quality of the crust, quality of the filling, and most importantly, size!"

And finally, are you fed up of pies yet?!

"Never!"