The reigning World Scotch Pie champions will be back to defend their title in Dunfermline next month.
Murdoch Brothers Butchers, from Forres in Moray, hope to become only the second company to win back-to-back titles.
Entries for this year’s event, at Carnegie College, close at 5pm on November 8 and judging takes place at the college on the morning of November 16.
However, competitors face a two-week wait before discovering who has won.
Organiser Alan Stuart said 20 entries have already been received and butchers and bakers from south of the border and Northern Ireland are considering taking part in the competition, now in its 12th year.
Mr Stuart, managing director of Stuart’s of Buckhaven, said, “Last year 86 companies entered, including 15 new faces. We’re extremely keen to encourage as many butchers and bakers as possible to submit.
“That is why we have been talking to people in the trade from as far afield as London and in Northern Ireland.
“The winner can expect a money-spinning year,” he added. “Records show that the successful company can increase their annual turnover by over 30%.
“The publicity nationally and locally can also be invaluable for a business, particularly in recessionary times.”
No butcher or baker from a major city has won the title.
“We started this competition to raise standards within the industry,” Mr Stuart said. “We believe we have achieved that.”
The competition has sections for sausage rolls, bridies and speciality products.
“Once again we look to improve standards in the trade and sausage rolls, bridies and speciality products are traditional products sold in butchers and bakers throughout Scotland,” Mr Stuart added.
“We continue to be amazed at the variety of speciality products and we will no doubt see some really creative entries this year.”
Entries must arrive for judging at the college between 9.30am and noon. No results will be released until the World Scotch Pie Championship lunch at the college on St Andrew’s Day.