Former midwife turned baker opens new pie and mash shop in Derbyshire

Jay White, or Nana Pies, is the baker behind The Manc Chef which has just opened a new takeaway shop on Green Lane in Buxton.

The 55-year-old said: “I’m really excited to be opening my shop and can’t wait to meet everyone, have a chat and give people some tasty treats.”

Jay worked as a midwife for 20 years but decided the stress of the job was taking its toll on her mental health and it was time for a career change.

She said: “I’ve raised my children, I did school runs for years but now my youngest is ready for uni I realised it was my time now.”

She started baking for artisan markets just before lockdown at a kitchen in Cheadle Hulme.

After moving to Buxton with her partner Jay has decided to bring her pies to the High Peak.

She said: “The menu is a true blast from the past.

“I learnt baking and cooking at eight years old with my grandmother so I learned her recipes - and that’s what I am selling.

“Traditional pies, mashed potatoes, beef dripping roasties, peas and gravy, as well as Manchester Tarts, pork pies and sausage rolls.”

Jay collected the keys to her new venue in October 2022 and then spent months turning the empty shell into the kitchen and shop it is now with all the latest machines and technology for her pie emporium.

She also continued to make for artisan markets and hopes that can continue while running the shop.

She said: “There isn’t the space to sit in so it is takeaway only but I will be open from lunchtimes to teatimes so I’m always here for people’s pie cravings.

“This is a new moment for me, a new chapter in my life.

“Buxton is a great location, it has the tourist trade and those who live here too and to have my own pie shop is a dream come true and I’m looking forward to this new journey.”

The Manc Chef is open Wednesday to Saturday, to stay up to date with what is on the menu find her on Facebook.