The best pies in the country have been named!

The biggest prize in New Zealand baking has been announced in Auckland at the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards, with accolades awarded at celebrations at the Grand Millennium hotel on Thursday, July 30.

This year’s field counted 5000 entries and 545 bakers, but there can only be one Supreme winner.

Of the 110 finalist pies (over half from Auckland) one from Rangiora has made history.

It’s the first time a South Island bakery has secured the top honour in the 29-year history of the awards. Baker Arlyn Thompson from Artisan by Rangiora Bakery has won the Supreme Award for her entry in the Gourmet Meat category. A slow-cooked “Sumatra style” beef pie that celebrity judge Sid Sahrawat described as “beautiful” to eat. 

“The flavours are so well balanced and the pastry and tender meat are a perfect comfort combination,” Sahrawat said in a media release. “On a cold winter’s night, that’s the pie you want to eat.”

Here is a complete list of the categories, nominees and winners!

Mince & Cheese

Gold Award: Theara Keo, Taste Bakery and Roast, Henderson, Auckland

Silver Award: Kaing Sok, My Bakery Cafe, Glen Eden, Auckland

Bronze Award: Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie Torbay, Torbay, Auckland

Highly Commended: Sok Heang Nguon, Taste Cafe and Bakery Avondale, Avondale, Auckland

Steak & Cheese

Gold Award: Tola Chhunleng, Freemans Bakery and Cafe, Glenfield, Auckland

Silver Award: Tina Yi, Mairangi Bay Bakery, Mairangi Bay, Auckland

Bronze Award: Shane Kearns, The Baker, Tīrau

Highly Commended: Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie Torbay, Torbay, Auckland

Gourmet Meat

Gold Award: Arlyn Thompson, Rangiora Bakery, Rangiora - Slow-cooked Sumatra-style beef pie

Silver Award: Jason Hay, Richoux Patisserie Ellerslie, Ellerslie, Auckland - Maui’s Mana Pie

Bronze Award: Srieng Choeu, Fresh Bun Café, Tuakau - Scallop with creamy white sauce pie

Highly Commended: Murray Gray, Mataura Mutton Pies, Mataura - Mutton mince and breadcrumbs pie

Bacon & Egg

Gold Award: Cheth Bun, Eurobake Espresso Ltd, Kumeū, Auckland

Silver Award: Theara Keo, Taste Bakery and Roast, Henderson, Auckland

Bronze Award: Seila Ly, Hillcrest Bakery and Cafe, Hamilton

Highly Commended: Tola Chhunleng, Freemans Bakery and Cafe, Glenfield, Auckland

Mince & Gravy

Gold Award: Arlyn Thompson, Rangiora Bakery, Rangiora

Silver Award: Mr Soem Top, Dinsdale Bakery, Hamilton

Bronze Award: Tina Yi, Mairangi Bay Bakery, Mairangi Bay, Auckland

Highly Commended: Jason Hay, Richoux Patisserie Ellerslie, Ellerslie, Auckland

Steak & Gravy

Gold Award: Patrick Lam, Patrick’s Pie Group Limited, Tauranga

Silver Award: Kaing Sok, My Bakery Cafe, Glen Eden, Auckland

Bronze Award: Jason Kupe, The Butchers Pie, Rolleston

Highly Commended: Buntha Meng, Wild Grain Bakery, Wainui

Potato Top

Gold Award: Kaing Sok, My Bakery Cafe, Glen Eden, Auckland

Silver Award: Bun Heng Wong, Julia Bakery, Ellerslie, Auckland

Bronze Award: Patrick Lam, Patrick’s Pie Group Limited, Tauranga

Highly Commended: Samraksmey So, Rosedale Bakery & Café, Rosedale, Auckland

Chicken & Vegetables

Gold Award: Buntha Meng, Wild Grain Bakery, Silverdale, Auckland

Silver Award: Sopheap Long, Euro Patisserie Torbay, Torbay, Auckland

Bronze Award: Chamnan Ly, Piefee, Auckland CBD

Highly Commended: Kaing Sok, My Bakery Cafe, Glen Eden, Auckland

Vegetarian

Gold Award: Patrick Lam, Patrick’s Pie Group Limited, Tauranga - Stir-fried vegetable with potato pie

Silver Award: Songheng Sor, High Bakery & Café, Silverdale, Auckland - Spinach, mushroom and onion pie

Bronze Award: Avina Tran, Paetiki Bakery, Taupō - Pumpkin, broccoli, potato and mushroom pie

Highly Commended: Kaing Sok, My Bakery Cafe, Glen Eden, Auckland - Creamy spinach and vegetable mix with camembert pie

Café Boutique

Gold Award: Kerry Wellman, Leeves at Portstone, Woolston, Christchurch - “Winter Pudding” pie

Silver Award: Peggy Zhang, Kitchen Republic, Otūmoetai, Tauranga - Sunday roast lamb pie

Bronze Award: Bridget Mcnaught, Relish Rangitikei, Hunterville - Slow-cooked pork with jalapeño pie

Highly Commended: Anthony Pearson, Kerikeri Bakehouse, Kerikeri - Double cheeseburger pie

Commercial/Wholesale

Gold Award: Jason Danielson, Kaipai Bakery, Wānaka

Silver Award: Martyn Mayston, Bake Shack, Mount Maunganui

Bronze Award: Kerry Orchard, Gourmet Foods Ltd, Judea, Tauranga

Highly Commended: Tom Grooten, Dad’s Pies, Silverdale, Auckland