MP Leads Campaign for Pie and Mash Status

British MP Richard Holden is leading a campaign to obtain Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) status for the traditional Cockney dish pie and mash, which he describes as the 'original fast food'. The dish, comprised of minced beef pie, mashed potatoes, and parsley liquor, is a staple of Cockney cuisine with roots in East London. The campaign has gained support from 40 MPs and involves negotiations with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which requires agreement on a standardized recipe. Advocates like Andy Green, founder of the Modern Cockney Festival, argue that the status could revitalize interest in the dish, despite the decline of traditional pie shops in London. Holden remains optimistic about the campaign, emphasizing the dish's historical significance and its evolution, including modern adaptations like vegetarian options. The move aims to celebrate and promote the dish, similar to protections given to Cornish pasties and Bramley apple pies.