National Pie ‘n’ Mash Week (March 9th to 15th)
Ever wanted to start your own Pie’n’Mash shop? Here’s one man living his dream, Tony Bayliss with ‘T’s traditional pie & mash.
“I always wanted a Pie & Mash shop. It’s been in me for years. I’ve spent most of my life in hospitality, running pubs, catering at major stadiums and events across the country. Most recently I was Catering Manager at Ipswich Town FC, which I was proud of. I left in November 2024 and not long after that, the opportunity came up to finally start my own brand. So I grabbed it with both hands.
“Pie & mash isn’t just food to me.
“It’s history. It’s working-class roots.
“It’s family. And that’s the big one for me, family spirit. Something I genuinely feel has been lost a bit over the years. Sitting down together. Talking. Laughing. No phones. Just proper connection.
“T’s Traditional was built around bringing that back. Proper pies. Fluffy mash. Real liquor. No shortcuts. But more than that, a place where people feel welcome. Where generations can sit round a table like they used to. Where there’s banter, warmth, and pride in tradition.
“We’ve grown into a proper community spot, dine-in, takeaway, delivery on Just Eat and Uber Eats, match days, events, serving hundreds of pies a week and building momentum. And now we’re gearing up to go mobile. The next step is a fully branded food truck so we can take T’s on the road, football grounds, festivals, town events, private bookings. Taking proper pie & mash to the people. Bigger reach, bigger crowds… same heart. It hasn’t been an easy road. There’s been setbacks, business knocks, health scares, but I made a decision that if I’m going to graft, it’s going to be for something with legacy. Something my kids can look at and be proud of.
“T’s isn’t just a shop. It’s resilience. It’s pride.
“It’s bringing back that family spirit.
And we’re only just getting started.”
We wish Tony well. Another example highlighting the evolving story of Pie’n’Mash.