The Great Aussie Pie Competition
The Great Aussie Pie Competition is an Australian food competition held annually by the Aussie Pie Council, the Great Aussie Pie Contest began in 1989 to find commercially produced meat pie produced in Australia, to promote higher quality pie production, and to attempt to increase media attention upon the foodstuff, with the meat pie often dwarfed by the omnipresent advertising of fast food chains.
The contest attracts various pie-makers from all over Australia; the pies for the contest are judged anonymously to avoid bias towards or against specific bakeries or states. Run in parallel to the main contest is one for gourmet pies, with categories for such fillings as chicken, seafood and even vegetarian pies. As well as the main prize, certificates of excellence are awarded for entries that reach set quality standards. The main award is coveted due to the increased sales it generates, with many people travelling interstate to sample the winning pie.
Trophy winners in 2024
- Best Plain Meat Pie: Buddy Bakery in Melton, Victoria, clinched the title with their Chunky Pie, judged on criteria including shape, size, color, meat quality, flavor, texture, pastry, creativity, and uniformity.
- Best Gourmet Pie: Jack’s Bakery in Halls Head, Western Australia, won with their Lamb & Red Wine Pie, also recognized as the best Red Meat Pie.
- Best Plain Sausage Roll: Orange Spot Bakery in Glenelg, South Australia, took the top spot with their Beef & Pork Sausage Roll.
- Best Gourmet Sausage Roll: Orange Pie Company in Orange, New South Wales, impressed judges with their Maple Bacon & Hazelnut Sausage Roll.
- Best Pastie: Orange Spot Bakery also excelled in the Pastie category with their Beef Vegie Pastie.