Do YOU have a story? Email Joshua.Haining@dailymail.co.ukGet your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREESee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:03 BST, 13 June 2026 | Updated: 21:47 BST, 13 June 2026
There aren't many times in life where you can throw a custard pie at someone and not get in trouble.But for those taking part in the World Custard Pie Championship in Maidstone, Kent, this was one of those rare opportunities.Hundreds of spectators gathered today to watch 27 teams - consisting of four members each - fling paper plates covered in custard at one another.Teams brought their costume a-game, wearing Scooby Doo outfits, Hogwarts school uniforms and Lederhosen, while other competitors opted for a safer choice of overalls.During the matches, custard pies must be chucked from the left hand and a points system determines the winning teams. Six points are awarded for a direct hit to the face, three points are given to a hit from the shoulders and up and one point for anything below. This year, The Old School Ravers threw to victory winning the coveted World Custard Pie Championship trophy.Geoff Cooke, who helped organise the event, said the competition was a 'great day' out and 'really good fun'. Udderly wild! One team taking part in the World Custard Pie Championship in Maidstone, Kent, wore cow costumes A contestant hurls a custard pie at a fellow contestant in a chicken costume, who took a stumble trying to get out of the way The Old School Ravers celebrate in their funky outfits after throwing to victory in this year's competition'It's a family fun day,' he said. 'People come here quite early and stake a claim to a pitch and stay there all day.'The organiser estimated that 1,500 spectators attended the event as the weather hit a lovely 23C in Maidstone.Mr Cooke added that the custard pie recipe is a 'closely guarded secret'.'They contain flour and water but consistency is key,' he said. 'Highly skilled operatives mix the custard for us.'The annual event, which has been running for nearly six decades, was first held in 1967 and helped raise funds for Coxheath Village Hall in Kent.However, money fundraised from the competition is now donated to local charities. Teams from Japan, Finland and France have previously travelled to the UK for the pie throwing event.The event is next set to take place on June 12, 2027. Yikes Scoob! A team member dressed as Daphne from Scooby Doo (pictured) flings a custard pie plate A member of the team wearing cow outfits has a look of extreme concentration on her face as she aims and fires a pie at a competitor One contestant dressed as Ron Weasley throws a custard pie at a builder who prepares to return the favour Ouch! A competitor wearing a flamenco outfit and face make-up turns away as he takes a custard pie to the head Some teams taking part in the competition opted for the safer option of overalls leaving them with less washing to do A custard-covered competitor wearing a flying cap and violet tutu grins as he faces off against his competitors One lederhosen-wearing competitor whose blonde locks are covered in custard prepares to throw a plate
