Pie and Mash - A Novel Solution

Have you ever been in the throes of organising an office party, someone's anniversary celebration, a family get-together, or even a wedding, only to be stumped by the catering that needs to be done? It might be tempting to rely on some of the well-tried standards of a cold buffet, but you'd much prefer to lay on something a little more different and memorable. Pie and mash could provide just such a novel solution.

One of the disappointments with entertaining these days is the rather boring predictability of the catering arrangements. Whether it's a cold or hot buffet, or even a more formal sit-down meal, the food that's on offer always seems to be pretty much of a much-ness. Recently, however, it's become possible to break that predictable mould by buying in and serving your own little bit of old London's culinary history - pie and mash.

Who'd have thought it

It's a traditional dish that might take many people more than a little bit by surprise when served at any one of a wide range of social functions - and in that much alone lies a great deal of its appeal and charm.

But times have changed and those changing times have been especially kind to the fabled staple food of working-class London. For one thing, the quality of the food has improved considerably. The pies supplied by modern-day bakers can generally be counted upon as being made by hand and freshly cooked. No longer is there just the one, universal filling of cheap-cut mutton, but a whole range of appetising fillings to suit practically any palette. The reliable consistency and taste of the mashed potatoes that traditionally accompany the dish is also something that couldn't always be counted upon in the past.

And it's not only the pies and mashed potato that have benefited from such subtle makeovers. Modern menus are a lot more varied and extensive than those from the shops of the past. From a number of suppliers, you can choose side dishes of peas or baked beans and, of course, the traditional seafood delights of jellied or stewed eels, winkles, cockles or mussels. Desserts, too, are widely available these days, with offerings of any number of different fruit pies and crumbles.

How would you like yours served?

It no longer takes a trip to the pie, mash and eel shop to savour these delights. Deliveries of the same freshly-baked pies (and all the accoutrements) to your own doorstep or function venue can be just as easily arranged. Indeed, there's increasingly a choice of just how you want these deliveries to be made:

To your freezer - stock up on supplies well in advance and be prepared for organising the catering for any social gathering or reunion of family and friends at the drop of a hat. You need never again be stuck for ideas of feeding your guests;

As a buffet - have all the dishes delivered to your home or outside venue for you to serve as and when you choose. Alternatively, many suppliers will also have well-trained staff standing by to help do it for you;

Table service - pie and mash, with all the trimmings, can even be a novel and eagerly appreciated theme for more formal, sit-down meals, such as a wedding reception, since there are suppliers who'll provide full table-service for you.