World Cup: Birmingham pub offers Fabio pie in honour of England manager

Jun 17 2010 by Christina Savvas, Birmingham Mail

ENGLAND’S World Cup hopes may seem to be pie in the sky but one Birmingham pub is still feeling Fabio with a special pastry delicacy on the menu.

The Victoria Pub in the city centre is serving the The Feelin’ Fabio – a mix of British beef and Italian sausage – in honour of England’s Italian manager Fabio Capello.

The pies are proving popular with punters who are piling into the John Bright Street venue to watch the World Cup coverage on its new 8ft screen.

Manager Julian Rose-Gibbs said: “We wanted to bring a World Cup theme to our specials board.

“We tried out the Fabio pie and loved it so ordered some in and it has been pretty popular.

“A lot of fans will come in about 6.30pm and order their meal before a 7.30pm kick-off because they know they will be watching the match with a few beers.

“We are selling quite a lot.”

The Feelin’ Fabio is one of a range of pies on offer at The Victoria including the moo pie, minty lamb, chicken of aragon, matador and heidi – which was voted ‘Best Vegetarian Pie’ in the British Pie Awards 2009.

The pies, served with mash and summer vegetables, are hand-made by Pieminister which also offers the Rooney Roll – a sausage roll made with outdoor-reared British pork and chilli.

Pieminister is supplying the World Cup-themed pastries to shops, delis and bars throughout the tournament.

They are also available through a postal service.

But the take-up has been so good they may continue afterwards.

Spokesman Romany Simon said: “More than 80 per cent of our pub customers have taken up both football products.

“That has exceeded our targets already.

“The response we’ve had from the public through our shops has also been great.

“The customers seem to love the image of Fabio Capello on the poster! And we’re getting lots of positive feedback.”