A top Staffordshire chef has helped bakery brand Wrights launch new limited-edition products to mark its 100th anniversary.
Great British Menu star Thom Bateman, who runs Cheddleton restaurants The Flintlock and Apres, has collaborated with the company on a Centenary Chicken, Leek and Bacon Pie being launched in shops across Staffordshire, through Wrights food vans and in selected UK forecourts from Monday, 2 March.
As part of the centenary celebrations, 10p from every centenary pie sold in a Wrights the Bakery shop will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Thom said: “Working with Wrights on a pie for its 100th year has been a real privilege. Wrights has such a deep heritage in baking, so the goal was to honour that craftsmanship while bringing a fresh approach to flavour and texture.
“The result is a pie that is hearty, indulgent and incredibly satisfying. It’s a celebration of everything Wrights stands for, and I can’t wait to see operators across the country serving it.”
The pie – a combination of chicken thigh, leek and bacon in a rich, creamy filling, encased in a cheese shortcrust pastry with a puff lid and finished with a bacon flavoured crumb – underwent a detailed development process supported by Peter Wright, former Chairman and CEO of Wrights and grandson of the founders. It is also available in wholesale from April.
Wrights, based in Crewe, is also launching a Centenary Caramel Custard Slice. A twist on its traditional vanilla custard slice, it features layers of rich caramel custard between crisp puff pastry, finished with decadent icing and it is topped with swirls of caramel icing. It will be available in the same ways as the centenary pie.
Helen Bowyer, Commercial Director – Foodservice at The Compleat Food Group, home of Wrights, said: “Wrights has been baking with pride for 100 years, and what better way to celebrate this milestone than with two limited edition products that showcase our heritage, quality and expertise.
“The pie, crafted in collaboration with Thom Bateman, highlights the very best of our savoury capability, while the slice has been meticulously developed by our skilled bakery team. Both are timeless classics with a modern twist, and we’re excited to see them appearing on menus, café counters and in our own outlets throughout 2026.”
Wrights was founded in Stoke-on-Trent in 1926 and is now one of the UK’s leading food bakery businesses.
Other centenary celebrations include a refresh of its retail estate across Staffordshire, expansion of its store network, community initiatives and a roadshow touring key customer events and local shops.
