When we hear about a pie competition of epic proportions in an historical city and entries have names like ‘miso sweet potato pie’, ‘mapo tofu pie’ and ‘Grandma Harriet’s bramble and apple pie’, we pay attention - and we follow up from our first article about it.
Here to share with you the winners of the recently held ‘Ballarat’s Best Pie Competition’, the Australian Good Food Guide is seriously envious of anyone that got to taste any of these delicious homemade pastries. Before we reveal the winners, let’s remind you of the contestants:
Kilderkin Distillery
Ultimate egg and bacon pie by Eclectic Tastes Café & Pantry.
Mexican breakfast pie by The Turret Café & Catering.
Beef cheek ragu pie by Forge Pizzeria.
Beef brisket and mushroom melt pie by Mitchell Harris Wines.
Teriyaki duck pie by Grainery Lane.
Beef and beer pie by Aunty Jacks.
Miso sweet potato pie by Roy Hammond.
Chicken truffle pie by Black Cat Truffles.
Mrs Marshall’s mushroom pie by Sovereign Hill.
Lamb roast pie by Flying Horse Entertainment Venue.
Lamb and rosemary pie by The Western Hotel.
Barbacoa and cheese pie by Hop Temple.
Babi pongteh pie by Flying Chillies (available at Red Duck Brewery).
Mapo tofu pie by Flying Chillies (available at Red Duck Brewery).
Paddock to pie by Wayward Winery.
Smoked brisket and American cheddar pie by 1816 Bakehouse.
Sri Lankan beef curry pie by Beechworth Bakery.
The BLC by Ballarat Leagues Club.
Raspberry drop curd pie by Sovereign Hill.
Grandma Harriet’s bramble and apple pie by Kilderkin Distillery.
The competition saw 20 pies from 19 local Chefs, restaurants, cafes and venues vying for the title of Ballarat’s Best Pie. From flaky crusts to mouth-watering fillings, there was a pie to satisfy all tastebuds – savoury to sweet.
Blackcat Truffles
The competition was hosted by culinary journalist Sofia Levin at Hop Temple, and judged by pie connoisseurs Tim Bone (MasterChef Australia), Jack van der Heyden (radio host), Kate Davis (Plate Up Ballarat Festival Director) and Richard Cornish (food writer).
Here are the winners, with a full click-through for you to see each delicious pie with its associated story and background.
•Best Sweet Pie - Kilderkin Distillery
•Best Bakery Pie - 1816 Bakehouse
•Best Savoury Pie - Flying Chillies
•Ballarat's Best Pie 3rd prize - Black Cat Truffles by Liam Downes
•Ballarat's Best Pie 2nd prize - Eclectic Tastes
•Ballarat's Best Pie Grand Prize Winner - Flying Chillies
Special shout-out to the overall grand prize winner, who is the only finalist to appear twice, (also in the 'Best Savoury Pie' category), Flying Chillies.
For locals and visitors to the area, you can pick up a Ballarat Pie Trail map from the Ballarat Info centre or online at visitballarat.com.au/ballarats-best-pie.
(hero image credit to: Grainery lane)
