Students launch pork pie business

Posted 13 November 2012

Two second year Food, Nutrition and Well Being students at Harper Adams University College have set up their own business producing luxury homemade pork pies.

‘Really Porky Pies’ is run by Paula Lobb and Michelle Evans, with production based on campus at the Regional Food Academy.

They are launching their product line at the Christmas Farmers Market on December 2 with festive flavours including pork with apple or cranberry.

20-year-old Michelle from Church Stretton, said: “We wanted to do something in our spare time that would be relevant to our future careers in the food industry.

“Ingredients are sourced locally where possible, but what makes Really Porky Pies special is the fact the pork is actually from my family farm.

“Together we’re involved in all stages of production, from product development through to cooking and then selling.”

Paula, 20, is from Bristol and has been busy completing the food safety courses required to sell food products.

This includes the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Manufacturing, and the Level 3 Award in Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points for Food Manufacturing.

Paula, who met Michelle through studying the same course, said: “The business is not related to our studies, it’s extra-curricular so all work will be undertaken in our spare time.

“Michelle is creative and has experience producing pork pies through young farmers, whilst I’m good at the business side and logistics so we make an excellent team.

“We are now aiming towards establishing our brand, including logos, colour themes and key values prior to the farmers market.”

The pork pies take approximately eight hours to make, with both the filling and pastry made by hand.

They will be sold in a variety of sizes, from snack-sized and cut slices through to standard and family-sized.

Follow Really Porky Pies on Twitter – www.twitter.com/reallyporkypies