Local pie a national hit

Dunedin baker James Musk whipped up a batch of pies yesterday after learning his creamy mushroom pie had won a silver award at the national pie awards. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
Dunedin baker James Musk whipped up a batch of pies yesterday after learning his creamy mushroom pie had won a silver award at the national pie awards. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
A quest to make a proper pie with only vegetables has led a Dunedin bakery to success at this year's national pie awards, somewhat against the odds.

Only four South Island bakeries won prizes from 49 possible awards at this year's New Zealand Bakels Supreme Pie Awards on Tuesday night.

Included in the four were Spelt Bakery, of Dunedin, which won a silver award in the vegetarian section for its creamy mushroom, parmesan and black pepper pie, and The Wholesale Bakery in Wanaka, which won a silver award in the commercial/wholesale pie section.

Spelt Bakery owner James Musk said he was pleased to have been recognised, especially as it was so difficult for a South Island pie maker to make the grade.

This was largely because the awards were judged in Auckland, where a local or Central North Island baker could ''just walk in and hand a fresh pie over right before judging'', while South Island bakers had to courier their entries.

Mr Musk's pies - he entered six categories - had to be sent two days before judging.

Spelt specialised in ''rustic'' pies and the market for vegetarian pies was increasing.

Mr Musk created the mushroom pie at the start of this year.

He said he had been trying to create a vegetarian pie that stood on its own as ''pie'' in the traditional sense.

''For us [the award] is recognition we are on the right track.''

Bakels New Zealand national sales manager Tony Marshall said South Island pies were not disadvantaged.

''They all get shipped together so no-one is disadvantaged at all and the pies that come from out of town arrive in the best condition out of all the pies that are delivered to Bakels.''

It was not possible for judges to come to the south because 21 judges from throughout New Zealand judged the pies in one day, Mr Marshall said.

The other South Island winners were Cafe Pret in Christchurch, which won a gold award in the cafe boutique section for its steak, mushroom, carrots and shallot pie.

Couplands Bakery at Hornby, Christchurch, which got a highly commended in the commercial/wholesale pie section.

A venison, mushroom, bacon and cheese pie from Taupo took the overall award.

Baked by Lee Ing, of Taupo's Fast and Fresh Bakery, the supreme pie came out on top of 5696 entries.

Cambodian-born Mr Ing, who came to New Zealand 12 years ago, bought the bakery 14 months ago after working in the bakery for two years learning about making pies from the previous owner.

The Wholesale Bakery could not be reached for comment.

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