A SPECIAL masterclass to learn the ancient Yorkshire art of pie tasting is being organised as part of a Dales food festival.

Crust connoisseurs are required at Ingleton Food Hall to become part of a tasting panel to try unusual fillings and give feedback.

It is part of the first ever food festival planned at the outlet, off the A65, in June.

The food hall is promising a panel of lucky customers the chance to not only sample some of their award-winning pastries. They will also be led through the tasting by James Wilson, a veteran pie taster who also organises the World Meat Pie championships.

“I was a judge at a pie competition at Country Harvest last year and I can still remember the fantastic pastry and wonderful fillings, so when they approached me about doing a masterclass on one of my favourite things – pies, I couldn’t say no!” said James, who was born and bred in the Dales.

Last year Country Harvest’s appeal for pie tasters went international – with people in the USA and Europe willing to fly over to help the food hall decide on a range of new flavours.

This year the event will be part of Country Harvest’s four-day Food Fair (June 7th-9th) featuring the best producers from across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

“It’s the first time we have held a food fair at Country Harvest and we hope to combine all the great things we do here under one marquee, together with loads of food stalls and mini masterclasses and events including gin cocktails, sausage making and a junior Bake Off competition throughout the day," said Mike Clark, owner of the combined food and gift hall/coffee shop. "It’s still at the planning stages but we have some wonderful food suppliers signed up. All the daytime events will be free, with two evening ticketed ones which are already selling well.”

For more details about the events go to www.country-harvest.co.uk or if you are interested in being on the pie tasting panel at 2pm on Friday, June 7 email suecountryharvest@gmail.com before May 6th to register your interest.