Southern pie lovers rejoice! The South Island has claimed its first ever Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award and the second only Supreme female baker to scoop up the top award.
North Canterbury baker, Arlyn Thompson from Rangiora Bakery has achieved what many South Island bakers have been dreaming of in the 26 years of the competition. She is bringing home the biggest award in the baking industry with her Gourmet Meat category entry – Slow Cooked Sumatra Style Beef.
In the Supreme judging round there were many impressed expressions on the judges’ faces, and this was clearly a tight final until the last pie, the Gourmet Meat entry, went through for tasting.
“Nice” summed it up as renowned Auckland Chef judge Sid Sahrawat finished his sample. “So beautiful to eat. The flavours are so well balanced and the pastry and tender meat are a perfect comfort combination. On a cold winter’s night, that’s the pie you want to eat.”
Daughter Zoya Sahrawat, the celebrity judge representing Generation Alpha, simply raised her eyebrows and smiled as she savoured the last pie taste and the room fell silent with pleasure and contemplation.
Gourmet Meat Category
But little did they know that their scoring points would result in arguably biggest result this competition has ever had…a first Supreme win for the South Island.
NZ Bakels managing director Brent Kersel says: “This year we saw a lot more bakers giving the Gourmet Meat category a go with entry numbers making this the third largest category to be judged.
“Right from the very first round of the Gourmet Meat judging, there were some really stand-out pies coming through with exceptional pastry making it a challenge to score on and then an abundance of flavour innovation.
“We had smoked trevally with peas, carrots, beans and corn; Mexican venison; beef brisket with beer, cheese and jalapeno; spicy prawn; beef moussaka and even an old-fashioned mutton pie. So much variety and we know pie fans want that variety from time to time. But when it comes to steak and cheese and mince cheese, they really are our ‘iconic’ pies, and being the two top entry categories shows how they are still the staple of bakeries, especially when the pastry has beautiful layering and a rich, moist and well-balanced filling. For me, you can’t beat a mince and cheese pie.”
Brent says each year there seems to be a pie that causes ‘Chinese whispers’ in the judging kitchen. This year the ‘Winter Pudding’ Café Boutique pie – a perfect cube of sweet short pastry encasing a sticky date pudding, took the honour of the most talked about before claiming the Gold award in the Café Boutique category.
Baked by Kerry Wellman of Leeves at Portstone in Woolston, Christchurch, it took out the second South Island Gold award, while Jason Danielson of Kaipai Bakery in Wanaka grabbed the third Gold with his Commercial/Wholesale mince and cheese entry.
“Year on year, this competition is getting harder to win and with it our reputation as a pie nation with the best places in the world for pies, the credit goes back to our hard-working, dedicated bakers. We congratulate every one of them who have won an award, and to those that are yet to win an award, keep going. You just never know what the future holds,” says Brent.
Here is the full list of the 2024 Bakels NZ Pie Award winners:
PlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionSupreme AwardMs Arlyn ThompsonRangiora Bakery18 High Street, Rangiora 7400, New Zealand• Slow Cooked Sumatra Style BeefBacon & EggPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Cheth BunEurobake Espresso Ltd45 Main Road, Kumeū 0810, New ZealandSilver AwardMrs Theara KeoTaste Bakery and Roast226-250 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New ZealandBronze AwardMr Seila LyHillcrest Bakery & Cafe145 Cambridge Road, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Tola ChhunlengFreemans Bakery and Cafe2/444 Glenfield Road, Glenfield, Auckland, New Zealand5thMr Sean VoLevain Artisan Bakery224 White Swan Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland 1041, New Zealand6thMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand7thMr Tongmin LiHillpark Bakery Manurewa75 Grande Vue Road, Hillpark, Auckland 2102, New Zealand8thMrs Tina YiMairangi Bay Bakery366D Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand9thMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand10thMr Sok Heang NguonTaste Cafe and Bakery Avondale1A Crayford Street West, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New ZealandMince & GravyPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMs Arlyn ThompsonRangiora Bakery18 High Street, Rangiora 7400, New ZealandSilver AwardMr Soem TopDinsdale Bakery18 Whatawhata Road, Dinsdale, Hamilton 3204, New ZealandBronze AwardMrs Tina YiMairangi Bay Bakery366D Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Jason HayRichoux Patisserie Ellerslie119 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand5thMr Kaing SokMy Bakery Cafe6/4055 Great North Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand6thMr Cheth BunEurobake Espresso Ltd45 Main Road, Kumeū 0810, New Zealand7thMrs Vicheka SeGreen Bay Bakery58A Godley Road, Green Bay, Auckland 0604, New Zealand8thMrs Theara KeoTaste Bakery and Roast226-250 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New Zealand9thMr Jason DanielsonKaipai Bakery27 Frederick Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand10thMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New ZealandMince & CheesePlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMrs Theara KeoTaste Bakery and Roast226-250 Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland 0610, New ZealandSilver AwardMr Kaing SokMy Bakery Cafe6/4055 Great North Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New ZealandBronze AwardMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Sok Heang NguonTaste Cafe and Bakery Avondale1A Crayford Street West, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand5thMr Jason HayRichoux Patisserie Ellerslie119 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand6thMr Jason DanielsonKaipai Bakery27 Frederick Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand7thMr Mab ChheurAngkor Wat Kiwi Bakery and Cafe110 Dickens Street, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand8thMr Chamnan LyPiefee349 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand9thMr Sheng Pheng RongPanorama Bakery and Cafe44 Panorama Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060, New Zealand10thMr Seila LyHillcrest Bakery & Cafe145 Cambridge Road, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New ZealandPotato TopPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Kaing SokMy Bakery Cafe6/4055 Great North Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New ZealandSilver AwardMr Bun Heng WongJulia Bakery128B Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New ZealandBronze AwardMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Samraksmey SoRosedale Bakery & Cafe9/215 Rosedale Road, Auckland 0632, New Zealand5thMr Michael GrayNada Bakery4/72 Main Road, Tawa, Wellington 5028, New Zealand6thMr Jacksea TangPennylanes Bakery248 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand7thMr Victor SinRays Pies and Fries136 Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu 5032, New Zealand8thMr Jason HayRichoux Patisserie Ellerslie119 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand9thMr Bunnarith SaoDairy Flat Bakery Ltd1443 Dairy Flat Highway, Dairy Flat 0794, New Zealand10thMr Buntha MengWild Grain BakeryShop 2/16 Wainui Road, Silverdale 0932, New ZealandSteak & GravyPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New ZealandSilver AwardMr Kaing SokMy Bakery Cafe6/4055 Great North Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New ZealandBronze AwardMr Jason KupeThe Butchers Pie855 Jones Road, Rolleston 7614, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Buntha MengWild Grain BakeryShop 2/16 Wainui Road, Silverdale 0932, New Zealand5thMr Jacksea TangPennylanes Bakery248 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand6thMr Bun Heng WongJulia Bakery128B Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand7thMr Raksa NonnAngkor Wat Marewa83 Kennedy Road, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand8thMr Lee hout UngLe Royal Bakery21 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand9thMr Savanchamnap (Nap) LyTarget Bakehouse & Cafe231 Manukau Road, Pukekohe 2120, New Zealand10thMr Ny ChanRonnie’s Cafe Matamata74 Broadway, Matamata 3400, New ZealandSteak & CheesePlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Tola ChhunlengFreemans Bakery and Cafe2/444 Glenfield Road, Glenfield, Auckland, New ZealandSilver AwardMrs Tina YiMairangi Bay Bakery366D Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New ZealandBronze AwardMr Shane KearnsThe Baker Tirau35 Main Road, Tīrau 3410, New ZealandHighly CommendedMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand5thMr Mab ChheurAngkor Wat Kiwi Bakery and Cafe110 Dickens Street, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand6thMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand7thMr Cheth BunEurobake Espresso Ltd45 Main Road, Kumeū 0810, New Zealand8thMr Sok Heang NguonTaste Cafe and Bakery Avondale1A Crayford Street West, Avondale, Auckland 1026, New Zealand9thMr Seila LyHillcrest Bakery & Cafe145 Cambridge Road, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand10thMr Samraksmey SoRosedale Bakery & Cafe9/215 Rosedale Road, Auckland 0632, New ZealandChicken & VegetablesPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Buntha MengWild Grain BakeryShop 2/16 Wainui Road, Silverdale 0932, New ZealandSilver AwardMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New ZealandBronze AwardMr Chamnan LyPiefee349 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Kaing SokMy Bakery Cafe6/4055 Great North Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand5thMr Callum InnesThe Pieoneer33 Galway Street, Grasmere, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand6thMr Sheng Pheng RongPanorama Bakery and Cafe44 Panorama Road, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060, New Zealand7thMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand8thMr Sean VoLevain Artisan Bakery224 White Swan Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland 1041, New Zealand9thMrs Tina YiMairangi Bay Bakery366D Beach Road, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand10thMr Chanvirak SorClevedon Bakery Papakura80 Clevedon Road, Papakura, Auckland 2110, New ZealandGourmet MeatPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMs Arlyn ThompsonRangiora Bakery18 High Street, Rangiora 7400, New Zealand• Slow Cooked Sumatra Style BeefSilver AwardMr Jason HayRichoux Patisserie Ellerslie119 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand• Maui’s Mana PieBronze AwardMr Srieng ChoeuFresh Bun Cafe42 George Street, Tuakau, Waikato, 2121• Scallop with Creamy White SauceHighly CommendedMr Murray GrayMatuara Mutton Pies372 McBride Road, Mataura 9774, New Zealand• Mutton Mince and Breadcrumbs5thMr Bunnarith SaoDairy Flat Bakery Ltd1443 Dairy Flat Highway, Dairy Flat 0794, New Zealand• Rump Steak, Bacon, and Lambrusco6thMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand• Beef Brisket and Stroganoff7thMr Buntha MengWild Grain BakeryShop 2/16 Wainui Road, Silverdale 0932, New Zealand• Scotch Fillet Steak and Mushroom8thMr Rasmey RaPaihia BakeryShop 3, 39 Williams Road, Paihia 0200, New Zealand• Roast Duck Pie9thMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand• Roast Lamb and Sweet Curry Sauce10thMr Cheth BunEurobake Espresso Ltd45 Main Road, Kumeū 0810, New Zealand• Lamb PieVegetarianPlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Patrick LamPatrick’s Pie Group Limited2 Taurikura Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand• Stir Fried Vegetable with PotatoSilver AwardMr Songheng SorHigh Bakery & Cafe2/122 Silverdale Road, Silverdale, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand• Spinach, Mushroom and OnionBronze AwardMrs Avina TranPaetiki Bakery199 Rifle Range Road, Taupō 3330, New Zealand• Pumpkin, Broccolli, Potato and MushroomHighly CommendedMr Kaing SokMy Bakery Cafe6/4055 Great North Road, Glen Eden, Auckland, New Zealand• Creamy Spinach and Vegetable Mix with Camembert5thMrs Sopheap LongEuro Patisserie Torbay1028 Beach Road, Torbay, Auckland 0630, New Zealand• Cauliflower, Broccolli, Pumpkin, Spinach and Carrot6thMr Sean VoLevain Artisan Bakery224 White Swan Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland 1041, New Zealand• Roasted Eggplant Shakshuka with Spiced Chickpeas and Butternut7thMr Jason HayRichoux Patisserie Ellerslie119 Main Highway, Ellerslie, Auckland 1051, New Zealand• Green Golden Delight8thMr Cheth BunEurobake Espresso Ltd45 Main Road, Kumeū 0810, New Zealand• Potato, Buttercup and Carrot9thMr Buntha MengWild Grain BakeryShop 2/16 Wainui Road, Silverdale 0932, New Zealand• Broccolli, Carrot, Green Bean and Potato10thMr Lee Hout UngLe Royal Bakery21 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand• Mixed VegetablesCafé BoutiquePlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMs Kerry WellmanLeeves at Portstone465 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand• Winter PuddingSilver AwardMiss Peggy ZhangKitchen Republic32 Bureta Road, Otūmoetai, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand• Sunday Rast – Lamb PieBronze AwardMs Bridget McnaughtRelish Rangitikei8 Milne Street, Hunterville 4730, New Zealand• Slow Cooked Pork with JalapenoHighly CommendedMr Anthony PearsonKerikeri Bakehouse334 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri 0230, New Zealand• Double Cheeseburger5thMr Benjamin NgBakes and Cakes Talk43 Vogel Street, Roslyn, Palmerston North 4414, New Zealand• Birria Beef Brisket6thMs Jessica LoftusHello Pickle210 Bank Street, Regent, Whangārei 0112, New Zealand• Smoked Brisket with Jalapeno and Cheese7thMr Fiona CarnegieRobert Harris Cafe Matamata47 Broadway, Matamata 3400, New Zealand• Chicken and Leek with a Parmesan Crumble8thMrs Debbie KnockerThe Corner Kitchen1A Pohutu Street, Whakatāne 3120, New Zealand• Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pie9thMr Kai MongSweet Painted Lady Cafe52 Seddon Street, Waharoa 3401, New Zealand• Slow Cooked Peppered Blade Steak with Aged Vintage Cheddar10thMrs Kim ForsytheBaked with Love11 Gascoigne Street, Taupō 3330, New Zealand• Creamy Chicken & LeekCommercial/WholesalePlaceBakerBakeryAddress / DescriptionGold AwardMr Jason DanielsonKaipai Bakery27 Frederick Street, Wānaka 9305, New ZealandSilver AwardMr Martyn MaystonBake Shack59 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui 3116, New ZealandBronze AwardMr Kerry OrchardGourmet Foods Ltd144 Birch Avenue, Judea, Tauranga 3110, New ZealandHighly CommendedMr Tom GrootenDad’s Pies57 Forge Road, Silverdale 0932, New Zealand5thMr Bosun PakiLuv A Pie Foods Ltd16 Lady Ruby Drive, East Tāmaki, Auckland 2013, New Zealand6thMr David PlunkettCouplands Bakeries Ltd140 Carmen Road, Hei Hei, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand7thMr Paul BarberThe Goodtime Pie Co Group35 Turner Place, Onekawa, Napier 4110, New Zealand8thMr Tim MilinaOxford Pies142 Maui Street, Pukete, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand9thMrs Alena RobertsonMaketu Pies6 Little Waihi Road, Maketu 3189, New Zealand10thMrs Kate SmithJimmy’s Pies143 Scotland Street, Roxburgh 9500, New Zealand
