UNDER THE CRUSTAT toPPINGS PIES Rachel Horne Although many Doncasterian’s know and love Toppings Pies, it was a Twitter chat that led to our visit to Doncaster’s pie HQ and bakery situated behind the HUB. Going under the crust was certainly a new experience for me, although I was aware of how much these delicious pies are loved in the Donx by folks of all walks of life. Every year my other half buys a Toppings Christmas pie and although I am vegetarian, much to Mr Topping’s horror, these pies are hand crafted, artisan, locally sourced bundles of joy. Apparently Mr. Roger Topping picked up a copy of Doncopolitan whilst having a hair cut in a local salon. Flicking through the pages, he was impressed to find a publication that wasn’t routinely slagging off Doncaster like so many others do. A few tweet and email exchanges later and we’re in the office talking hardcore pie banter and discussing the history and future plans for the company. It was Roger’s father, Bill Topping who started it all when he opened his butcher’s shop in 1961. Little did he know that it was the beginning of a multi award-winning company whose products would one day grace the deli counters of Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols. The Scawsby butchers shop was moved to the Doncaster Market Hall a decade later to meet customer demands, and today remains a family affair with Bill’s grandson Mark managing the outlet for more than 20 years continuing a proud family tradition.
The reputation of the tasty traditional Toppings pies, some inspired by historical recipes dating back to Victorian and Tudor times, quickly spread. Within two years Maggie and Roger had set up a separate bakery division and moved to bigger premises to keep pace with customer appetite for family-inspired products. By 1997 the company continued to enjoy its reputation for fantastic home made pies and picked up a number of awards – the trophy cabinet is now groaning under the strain of housing more than 40 awards! Making top quality British pies and other bakes now lies at the heart of the company and the Topping family continue use only the very best British Red Tractor pork and other locally sourced ingredients. By 2000 the company had once again outgrown its premises and The Topping Pie Company was officially born when Roger and Maggie bought a new bakery. Toppings pies have been enjoyed on deli counters up and down the country for many years and shoppers in the Frenchgate Shopping Centre have been tucking into Toppings pies since the top-floor shop opened there in November 2011. Sheffield too now has a slice of the action with the most recent shop opening in the Crystal Peaks shopping centre.
The company has transformed from a small, family butchers to a multi award-winning specialty pie business, supplying a wide range of handcrafted products to retail, wholesale and export customers. But it is still very much a local Doncaster company which retains its traditional family roots and the original butchers shop. On our trip around the bakery we get a glimpse into “ the life of pie” here in Doncaster. The food tech world is serious business. We’re all clad in hair nets and plastic suits. We could be in Area 51, but instead we are here to go under the crust of Toppings. A small team of staff are working on the production line crafting each pie by hand. It’s an artisan operation and I quite fancy having a go at making one. I especially want to play around with the cranberries or apricots. It’s nearing lunch and we’re all starting to get hungry. Lucky for us Toppings pies are on the menu. End
Bill hung up his butchers apron in 1989, handing the baton to son Roger and his his wife Maggie. It was Maggie’s talent and passion for home baking that was to change the shape of the business. In 1991 Maggie took some of her family’s favourite original home-made pies made to her own recipes to sell in the butcher’s shop.
Matthew Topping in the factory (p6) and Matt, Roger, Maggie & Mark Topping
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