Weird question, right? Or is it?

After seeing a tweet about pie-eating habits, I decided to put the question to friends and family. (Side note: I’m not usually one to judge but a pie sandwich??? – see tweet)

I thought people would just say something along the lines of “I bite and swallow” as normal. And some did. Lili said, “Straight from the packet, usually while I’m still in the shop! And then I always burn my mouth.”

It turns out people are very particular about how they their pie should be consumed. There is often a sauce needed at the side for many people. Louzel’s fiancé prefers chutney as his condiment of choice.

“I eat pie with a knife and fork. Not too weird – they’re just too saucy and messy to eat with one hand. Louis, my fiancé, on the other hand, pours chutney into his shop-bought pie, after taking one bite (to open a hole in it). Then he basically tops up the pie with chutney…” Hmm. Sorry, Louis. I don’t think I’ll be trying it your way anytime. Ever.

Tomato sauce

The most popular condiment to accompany the pie is tomato ketchup. And even in these cases, the rituals vary.

“I cut it in half and then eat it like I would a sarmie…. With my hands (if its not too hot, then a fork) … and tomato sauce. ” – Essie

“Top of the pie must be covered in tomato sauce – ONLY All Gold. I must eat it with a tea spoon. Otherwise I won’t eat it…” – Bevan

“I open the pie up (strictly pepper steak) and put All Gold tomato sauce on the filling. I then close it and enjoy.” – Paul

Similarly Aqeeb takes of the top and than he spread tomato sauce close it and then eats it. His dad Majidie says, “I put tomato sauce on the side of the plate with lettuce and fresh tomatoes cut up in rings.”

Deconstructing the pie

“It depends on where I bought the pie. If it’s the kind that comes in the bag, I eat it bite by bite from the top bit that sticks out the bag. If it’s the kind with the foil base, then I eat the top bit of pastry first and then the rest. Preferably with tomato sauce.” – Carmen

“If I eat it at home top first then filling then base. If not just out of the bag like a chocolate…no crumbs” – Zulfa

Pie steps

Tashreeq says, “Always start from corner to corner. And continue with each bite in that way. Until my last piece. This is weird. But I can’t eat it any other way. Even if my shop pie is round.Corner to corner!”

Where’s the corner on a circle, guys? That made me chuckle.

Then there’s Sergio, who has a step-by-step ritual for his pie consumption…

Step 1 – Make initial incision (read bite the top) to release molten pepper steak steam
Step 2 – Bite but don’t squeeze the pie – filling won’t spill out
Step 3 – When halfway rotate it 90 degrees (better pie-to-filling ratio), continue consuming
Step 4 – Open the packaging, scoop out filling that may have fallen out.
Step 5 – Pause your episode and do the “shake-off-the-crumbs” dance.

So tell me how you eat your meat-filled pastry? Do you have a ritual or do you find the above all very strange and wonderful?