Blair's 400-mile trek for a Stephens steak bridie
Graham Gibson • Published 10 Feb 2012 09:37
14 Comments
WITH Valentine's Day looming, a West Fife man has trekked more than 400 miles to be with the love of his life - the Stephens steak bridie.
Blair Waddell (21) was heartbroken when he realised his new life in London meant he could no longer be near his beloved bridie.
To overcome his depression Blair travelled by night bus back to West Fife to collect a special month's supply of Stephens' award-winning pastry.
Former Woodmill High pupil Blair said, "Since I was a wee boy it's been the only thing I've wanted to eat. It's magic.
"I used to have one a day when I was at school.
"When I came down to London I began to reminisce about Scotland as there are a few Scottish people at my work.
"One of my colleagues, Alan Wishart, is originally from Kingseat and that's what he said he missed the most.
"That's when it hit me that I couldn't get them down here so that was a big shock."
Blair is so bridie-mad that his Charlestown home is actually directly across the road from a store that sells the bridie.
He picked up his 15 bridies on Sunday morning then hopped back on another bus for London two hours later.
He has just graduated from Heriot-Watt University and was barely a month into his new life down south when the hunger pains began to bite.
Blair recently began work as a recruitment administrator and shares a house with some new buddies in Acton, West London.
And he is set to spread the word of the wonders of the steak bridie by introducing them to their first experience of its "magic" taste.
"I'm going to be staying with a couple of French people, a Russian and a Kiwi," he revealed.
"They will definitely not have had a bridie before so I will give them a taste and broaden their horizons.
"Stephens cooked them in a special way so that they can last longer.
"I will freeze a few for a bit and then have them on a special occasion.
"If I run out then I'll have to make another trip as I'm not convinced they would send truckloads down every month."
However, the Press brought a smile to his face when we revealed Stephens have performed long-distance deliveries before.
Last year they sent 60 steak bridies down to just outside London after an order for a Royal Wedding party.
And another customer in Plymouth requested 15 Scotch pies as a birthday treat for her husband who used to live in Dunfermline.
They were frozen and placed in a specially insulated container that went down by courier overnight.
"I will have to look into that as they've definitely got a few Scottish customers down here. That would be brilliant," said Blair.
Stephens spokesperson Graeme Fraser said, "Its nice to have such a loyal customer who's travelled all this way to purchase our award-winning steak bridie.
"Retail operations manager Carole Adamson was there to greet Blair and thank him personally for his custom and the tremendous effort he went to."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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jollymolly
93 posts
Feb 10, 10:15
Report comment -
DazzaFozza
1 post
Feb 10, 13:45
Report commentI've bumped into blair in stephens on various occasions. The boys obsessed! He usually keeps one in his pocket for a saturday night in harlem!
Recommend?
Yes 26
No 51
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Jayc182
62 posts
Feb 10, 15:52
Report commentthey aren't the same, a tin of dog food probably has a higher meat content.
they have changed the recipe for their sausage rolls to and now they are rank!
Recommend? Yes 42
No 44
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jimbob1
1 post
Feb 10, 18:32
Report commentDont listen to these internet warriors above - Good move Blair. Easily the best meal in the kingdom! Nice to see a local family business getting the recognition it deserves!
Recommend? Yes 38
No 51
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isongard
5 posts
Feb 11, 02:32
Report commentI've done exactly the same thing travelled all the way from wiltshire to fife just to bring a load of Stephen's mince and onion bridies. There is nothing that comes close down here
Recommend? Yes 25
No 47
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kaka30
310 posts
Feb 11, 09:26
Report commentWhy dont people on here take this story and stories like it, in the spirit it is intended.
Its a light hearted, feel good, fun story that also promotes a local buisness.
jimbob1 & isongard are quite right.
Recommend? Yes 29
No 46
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ShahHoorsur
31 posts
Feb 11, 09:41
Report commentGood on ya Blair. I totally agree, Stephens do great products, a great local business.
Keep up the good work.
Recommend? Yes 31
No 47
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SmarmyGit
316 posts
Feb 11, 11:45
Report comment -
naebotherataw
13 posts
Feb 14, 11:13
Report commentgreggs steak bake aw the way..."get it doon ye min"
Recommend? Yes 18
No 26
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naebotherataw
13 posts
Feb 14, 12:43
Report commenti used to love stephens sausage rolls until the unthinkable occured,
OMG, where has the filling gone????
yep they used to make great bridies and sausage rolls but the filling is getting less and less,
sign of the times i suppose.
Recommend? Yes 25
No 9
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rightorwrong
4 posts
Feb 14, 21:59
Report commentLooks like Inglis Vets' marketing bunch have now joined Stephens...
Recommend? Yes 12
No 18
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maclam
317 posts
Feb 16, 11:18
Report commentwith stories like this the DUNFERMLINE PRESS is turning into a joke book , even the BEANO has better stories.
Recommend? Yes 13
No 13
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chickpea
3 posts
Feb 17, 10:15
Report commentI live in aberdeen and I was just saying to my mum how I fancy a stephens now and then as the aberdeen way is just not the same. Came down to visit this week a she had one waiting for me for my lunch, yum!
Recommend? Yes 8
No 13
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MrsScottsWeeLaddie
48 posts
Feb 23, 10:23
Report commentStephens bridies are fabulous - Fife soul food! Wi a wee bit brown sauce - delicious! Steak or mince 'n' onion - both top drawer! What's not to like? Greggs etc, so inferior - like comparing a Robin Reliant to a Bentley! or Cowdenbeath to The Pars! Ha ha!
Recommend? Yes 9
No 5
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