Nearly 540 bakers have had their pies judged to determine the 20th Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards winner.
A panel of 21 judges evaluated 5.284 entries against their texture, flavour, colour and gravy proportion to meat, with the Supreme prize going to Patrick Lam from Patrick’s Pie Group Gold Star Bakery, Tauranga, for his bacon and egg pie.
Roger Cathro, Pak'nSave Petone
Two of all the winning bakeries belonged to Foodstuffs’ supermarkets, namely Dan Shaw from Havelock North New World (Hastings), who was awarded Silver in the Gourmet Fruit category for his caramelised walnut, black doris plum pie, and Roger Cathro from Pak’nSave Petone (Wellington). The latter managed to take home three awards this year: gold in the Gourmet Meat category for a steak and mushroom pie; another gold in the Potato Top category and silver in the Mince & Gravy category.
As for the Commercial/Wholesale (mince & cheese) category, Terry McMahon of Christchurch-based Couplands Bakeries scooped the top prize. Eddie Grooten of Dad’s Pies and Murray Swetman of Ponsonby Pies followed at second and third positions respectively, while Paul Barber of Goodtime Foods was mentioned as ‘Highly Commended’ in the same category.
"This year's entries were a mix of traditional braised meats, exotic combinations and ethnic fusions," said Tim Aspinall, NZ Bakels Supreme Pie Awards chief judge.
According to Brent Kersel, managing director of NZ Bakels, the quality of the pies has been improving significantly over the past 20 years. "The bakers of today are very resourceful, and combined with the quality produce available, from our delicious beef and flavoursome vegetables, produce pies to a high quality."
Here are all the Gold Award winners:
Mince and Gravy – Mab Chheur of Angkor Wat Kiwi Bakery & Café, Napier
Steak (Diced) and Gravy – Michael Kuoy of Counties Bakeries, Pukekohe
Chicken and Vegetable – Savanchamroeun Ly of Savans Bakery, Warkworth
Gourmet Fruit – Bunnarith Sao of Dairy Flat Bakery, Auckland
Gourmet Meat – Roger Cathro of Pak ‘n Save, Petone, Wellington
Vegetarian – Jason Danielson of The Bakery Wholesale, Wanaka
Bacon and Egg – Patrick Lam of Patrick’s Pie Group Gold Star Bakery, Tauranga
Mince and Cheese – Buntheng Wong of Panmure Bakehouse, Auckland
Steak and Cheese – Geemun Chao of Baker Bobs Bakery & Café, Greerton, Tauranga
Potato Top Pie – Roger Cathro of Pak n Save, Petone, Wellington
Commercial Wholesale Mince and Cheese – Terry McMahon of Couplands Bakeries, Hornby, Christchurch
Café Boutique – Brad Dalton of Ginger Dynamite, Motueka
