Cock Tavern’s ‘pickle boy’ Molloy wins egg award

Luke ‘pickle-boy’ Molloy with his pickled eggs. Photo: Cock Tavern

Hackney’s Cock Tavern tasted victory after its pickled eggs rode a wave of egg-citement to win an industry prize.

More than 1,000 eggs have been sold at the Mare Street pub since September, with customers given a choice of eight pickled flavours, including garlic, chilli, horseradish and sun dried tomato.

Egg suppliers Purely Pickled Eggs said the Cock Tavern had gone the egg-stra mile and sold more picked eggs than any other outlet, crowning the tavern with its ‘ We Love Pickled Eggs’ award.

The tavern’s Luke ‘pickle boy’ Molloy, who is behind the egg craze, said the phenomenon was inspired by a customer request.

“A guy came in and asked for packet of crisps with a pickled egg,” he said. “It’s apparently an old London tradition.

“I was inspired by that and started selling eggs, and people kept eating them.”

Mr Molloy said Purely Pickled Eggs was astonished by demand for the product at the tavern and created the award to recognise his achievement.

The eggs are set to remain on the menu and the pub is looking to expand its range of flavours.

Mr Molloy said: “I’d like to experiment with different eggs, like ostrich eggs… have an egg menu.”

Purely Pickled Eggs said they could not believe the success of the eggs in Hackney.

“The Cock Tavern were the out and out winners of the prize,” a spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the tavern is also leading the way in the Beard Friendly Pub of The Year 2016 awards, created by The Beard Liberation Front.

The winner will be announced on 17 January.