Phil Turner, who came second in Lord Sugar’s BBC contest The Apprentice, opened a temporary stall to sell steak and kidney pies in Osaka, Japan – and the locals loved it
The Japanese are queueing round the block…for British meat pies.
Word spread about the tasty pastries when a British baker set up shop in Osaka. Pictures show huge crowds thronging to get their hands on Phil Turner’s steak and kidney pies. Locals, typically used to sushi and other lighter fare, are going wild for the heavier pub-style grub.
Apprentice star Phil opened a temporary stall and shifted 10,000 pastries in just two days. Phil, who came second in Lord Sugar’s BBC contest, said: “If there’s one thing the Japanese know how to do is queue – we have had them lined up all around for our pies.
“It’s not the sort of thing the Japanese eat but they are curious – it’s been fun seeing so many people see and try pies for the first time – we sold thousands, we’ve been grafting.” A source added: “It’s a bit of a cultural exchange – Japan has exported sushi to the world, now they are getting some pies in return.
“Japan is such a lucrative market that if you succeed the rewards can be massive.” Phil, 37, made Apprentice history by being on the losing team nine times in a row, but eventually made it to the final three.
He runs award-winning family business Turner’s Pies and manages five branches in West Sussex and Hampshire. He set up shop in Osaka’s Hankyu department store this week and traded alongside famous UK brands like the Savoy.
