Pie-eyed for tasty haggis

WARWICK SMITH/Manawatu Standard

OCH AYE: Baker Ross Doherty adds turnip to the 120 haggis pies.

Relevant offers

Food & Wine

Corn stars in summer menus How do you find food that you'll like? Spice it up with savoury muffins Thinking outside the (lunch)box A healthy take on fish tacos Peach puddings a spicy delight What is the meatiest meat? Chip off the old block Celebrity chef puts skills up for auction Your Valentine's Day dinner sorted

Palmerston North could be famous for a world first – haggis pies – and they will be on sale for a limited time this weekend.

Scottish-born Neil Doherty invented the Scottish take on a Kiwi classic to raise money for up-and-coming bagpipe players.

He recruited his son, Ross, who is a baker, to make a trial run of the haggis, swede and potato-top pies, which were a hit at their local pub.

Ross and his mother, Amelia Doherty made a batch of the pies yesterday.

"It tastes like a savoury, spiced mince," Mrs Doherty said.

About 100 pies will be on sale at the Jenny Mair Highland Square Day tomorrow, with all proceeds going to the Manawatu Development Band for their trip to the Australian national competition next year.

Scottish kilts will be swirling to the tune of bagpipes when more than 1000 people converge on The Square.

The competition has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1980, organiser Jenny Mair said.

"It was just a one off and then we could see the potential and we just picked it up. It's put Manawatu on the map as far as pipe bands go."

This year, two Australian bands are crossing the ditch and the world's best drummer, Reid Maxwell, is coming from Canada to judge the solo drummers and band drummers.

The day-long competition kicks off at 8.30am with solo drummers and performers vying for the top spot.

Local favourites the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band should wow the crowd during the Grade 1 competition at the end of the day, Mrs Mair said. The band has had an outstanding year, placing 10th at the world championships in August, she said.

- © Fairfax NZ News