Sussex Pie Man Phil Turner just misses out on Apprentice victory

Sussex’s “pie man” Phil Turner has agonisingly missed out on a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar as Rachel Woolford claimed victory in the BBC reality programme The Apprentice. 

Phil, 37, was on the losing team on nine occasions during the process yet despite that he battled his way into the final where he faced off against 28-year-old Rachel, founder of gym business North Studio in Leeds.

It was a gyms versus pies battle and in the final gruelling interview, Phil fought tooth and nail to convince Lord Sugar why he has a more investable company.

Lord Sugar was clearly struggling to make a decision but in the end, gyms triumphed. But Phil took his defeat on the chin and is resolute the business will continue to thrive.

Phil owns a traditional family-run business, Turner’s Pies, specialising in handmade pies. His grandmother, Eva, started baking the recipes in 1933.

The company, based in Bognor, have won accolades including Top 50 Foods in Britain in 2013, British Pie Awards Supreme Champion 2018 & 2020, and British Pie Awards Gold in 2020.

Phil has five shops and is aiming to expand his online “pie by post” business.

Phil and Rachel’s final task was to create a logo and digital billboard for their company.

They were also provided assistants, who were ex-candidates in this season’s Apprentice. Phil’s team comprised of Paul Bowen, Virdi Mazaria, Foluso Falade, Raj Chohan and Dr Paul Midha.

Despite Phil missing out on the opportunity, Lord Sugar’s assistants Karren Brady and Tim Campbell praised Phil as a worthy opponent and wished him all the best.