Get to know this food
Stargazy pie is a Cornish fish pie in which fish heads project through the pastry crust, creating the surprising appearance of fish gazing toward the sky.
Why is it special?
Mousehole, a fishing village in Cornwall, celebrates Tom Bawcock's Eve in late December with a story of a fisherman bringing food to a hungry community. Tourism material links the December celebration to the dramatic stargazy pie served during the village festivities.
How is it eaten?
The central visual clue is the heads of fish rising through a baked crust. The filling beneath may include fish, eggs or savoury ingredients depending on the recipe, so a generic fish pot pie without the exposed heads does not convey this particular tradition.
Frequently asked questions
Why are fish heads sticking out of the pie?
The exposed heads make the unusual 'stargazing' presentation that gives the Cornish dish its name.
Where is stargazy pie best known?
It is closely associated with Mousehole in Cornwall and the local Tom Bawcock's Eve tradition.
Source used for this explainer: Visit Cornwall — Mousehole and Tom Bawcock's Eve — Read original source ↗