If you're adding 'Great' to your company name then you've definitely got to live up to the…read moreexpectations; and these guys absolutely do so. They were Supreme Champion at the British Pie Awards in 2015 - I think they should seriously consider changing their moniker to Supreme North Pie Co. after that. You may have seen their stall at various markets around the north, from Northwich to Urmston and West Didsbury, selling their wares to the public. They also occasionally feature at festivals; I was over the moon to see them at Festival No. 6 in Portmeirion. They've a permanent unit at food-hall-heaven Market House in Altrincham, where you can order pie, mash and gravy and enjoy THE BEST pies of your lives. Their Wagyu Beef & Onion pie was truly fantastic - a must dish for the autumn months. I'd kill to learn their gravy recipe!

Greater Manchester is famous for its meat pies and the Great North Pie company can stake (or…read moresteak?) a claim to being one of the area's best pie makers. (I know that not because I've sampled all the pies of the world but because they have an impressive display of gold medals awarded by folk who have.) They have a stall at Altrincham market to buy pies to take home. But they also have a separate space in the Market Hall where you can get your pie delivered to your table. You can add mash and gravy if you want to make a meal of it. Pie choices include cheese and onion, chicken and mushroom, minced beef and onion, and steak and ale. It was hard to choose, but I went for the steak and ale, with mash and gravy. I wasn't sure I made the right choice when it came out: the mashed potato looked a little watery and the pie crust a little too well done. But the mash was fine, the gravy delicious, and the pie was truly scrumptious. The crust was firm but not tough, containing a delicious stew of juicy steak chunks in a thick beer gravy. I washed it down with a fine ale from Jack in the Box, on the other side of the hall. Eating my pie in the beautiful and historic surroundings of the Market Hall only added to the Great North Experience.

Everything served on toast. As a big fan of toast, this has to be a winner. I've been watching…read moretoast being fitted out in the old Barclays bank, they've done a wonderful job as the decor is fantastic. I went for breakfast, it was quite busy but got seated straight away. My latte was top class and I ordered bacon, eggs and black pudding on muffins, their most popular. This was delicious, I can see why it's so popular. I'm looking forward to going back to try the lunch menu out soon.