If you know a shop that sells the best pies and pastries, now may be your time to give them the acknowledgement they deserve.
The 34th annual Great Aussie Pie competition has just opened registrations for bakers, pastry cooks, apprentices, butchers, and chefs to enter their pies, sausage rolls, and pasties in the longest running and official pie competition in Australia.
The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition was established in 1989 and has been held yearly since, with the aim of raising the quality standards of pies and sausage rolls throughout Australia.
This year the competition judging will take place at Fine Food Australia in Sydney from 11-14 September with the winner’s announcements happening on 14 September at 3pm live from Fine Food Australia and broadcast via their Facebook page.
Last year saw several Victorian bakeries come out on top, including from neighbouring municipalities Casey and Dandenong making it to the top of the leaderboard across a number of categories.
This year will also see the introduction of the new title, “Official Great Aussie Pastie” along with the usual titles claimed by the makers of the greatest pies and sausage rolls.
Competition organiser Dani Lindsay said they believe this means the 34th Official Great Aussie Pie Competition will be the biggest so far.
Those entering the apprentice category this year will be required to submit a chicken pie.
“The introduction of a new major title this year means we are expecting a record number of entries in all categories.
“The competition has grown dramatically in popularity over the past five years, and we believe this year will be the biggest,” she said.
Their panel of judges are professionals within the industry with high standards and exceptional baking knowledge and will be joined by Shaun Pyne from Pyne’s Pie Reviews, assisting the judges with the enormous task of tasting all the pies, sausage rolls, and pasties.
All entries are judged to a particular criterion resulting in a raised quality standard of pies, sausage rolls, and pasties throughout Australia.
The Aussie Pie Council is appreciative of all event sponsors including EOI, Fine Food Australia, Heinz, Unox, Dunbrae Bakery Solutions, Complete Display Equipment, Simple Simon PieMaking Equipment, National Baking Industry Association (NBIA), Australian Pork, Well & Good, and Manildra Group for their support.
Prizes for this year’s competition include cash, equipment, and ingredients to the total value of more than $25k along with several other marketing benefits.
Entrants can choose to receive valuable feedback from the judges and those who’s pies, sausage rolls, and pasties meet or exceed our industry standard will receive a gold, silver, or bronze medal certificate to display in their bakery.
Entries can be registered at greataussiepiecomp.com.au/registrationup until 28 August.
