Are Harrods Larders filled with top Essex pies?

Essex Larders Chicken and Herb Pie Review, bought at Harrods

In what's become a yearly tradition (okay, so I've now done it twice...) I headed in to what is probably one of the most - if not the most - famous stores in the world, let alone in London. Getting off the tube at Knightsbridge and quickly darting in from the downpour outside, I plotted my route to the Harrods Food Hall. I was in for a bit of a sur-pies!

The Harrods Pie in wrapper

For where I had picked up a pie during my visit a year ago, I saw in front of me probably the world's most expensive shepherd's potato bake (that's a shepherd's "pie", if you're not familiar with the term...) at a jaw dropping £47.60!!!

But don't worry pie fans! You're not going to see the first ever potato bake reviewed on Pierate! Oh no! A bit further round the hall I found my golden treasure, fully encased in pastry. Interestingly they had expanded their range a bit and started selling a 'hot pie and mash' option, in addition to now selling Pieminister pies (which you've no doubt seen sold in local supermarkets and some pubs). You won't be surprised to know we've got quite a number of Pieminister pie reviews on Pierate.



But the pie I picked up was from a company I hadn't heard of before - Essex Larders. The pie was a chicken and herb pie, sold cold in pork pie style with jelly and a large filling. It was quite a substantial price at £2.50 per 100g or £9.80 for the piece photographed, but then again expectations (and prices) are high at Harrods. I bought enough to have 4 reasonable slithers - with my housemate Jeremy and friends Laura and Amy.

Harrods Essex Larder Chicken Pie Review

Biting into it, the pastry was crisp but not too thick. The filling made up the vast majority of this pie, with a reasonable slither of jelly and quite a thick central herb layer. The chicken was tender and the herbs blended well with it. Altogether a very nice pie, though the jelly was a bit overpowering in my view and there could have been a few less herbs v chicken.

The condition was good and I'd happily eat it again, though the price tag may well put me off purchasing it. But then this is Harrods!

Essex Larders Chicken and Herb Pie Review, bought at Harrods
Score: 5.21/7
[Colour 5.5, Capacity 6, Consistency 4.5, Condition 5.5, Chewiness 6, Cheapness 3, Content 6, Total: 5.21/7]
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