For three days, judges of Australia's Best Pie and Pastie Competition tasted the flakiest and most inventive pastries from around the country, and now the results have been revealed.
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One regional bakery swept the competition, taking home the top award for the plain mince beef pie, as well as the judge's pick for the best vegetarian pie with its lentil dahl filling.
Howlong Country Bakery, near the NSW and Victoria border, was awarded a medal for each of its 15 pies entered in the competition, as well as winning two categories.
Bakery co-owner Catherine Fyffe said the Best Plain Mince Pie category was a hotly-contested and prestigious.
"We're very conscious of using good quality, local ingredients and taking the time to cook the meat and rest the pastry," Mrs Fyffe said told ACM's The Border Mail.
"It's quality control at every step of the way."
Australia's best pies
While the best plain mince beef pie and best vegetarian pie awards went to Howlong Country Bakery, a number of other regional pie shops were honoured.
A maple bacon creation from Orange Spot Bakery in Glenelg, South Australia, was awarded the best flavoured beef pie.
Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes, with stores along Victoria's coastline at Queenscliff, Barwon Heads and Geelong, won the award for best poultry pie for its chicken pesto pastry.
Buddy Bakery Melton, on the outskirts of Melbourne, has Australia's best chunky plain beef pies, the judges decided in 2025.
The PieFather, based in Rosebery, NSW, took home two category awards. The tom yum prawn pie won Australia's best seafood pie in 2025, while the best mushroom pie award went to the PieFather's vegan stroganoff.
The competition was organised by the industry body, the Baking Association of Australia (BAA).
BAA National President and Queensland Chair Amanda McDonald said the awards were "highly esteemed and recognised as one of the most prestigious food competitions in the Australasian region".
"By offering genuine feedback and assistance through open judging and transparency, the competition has grown stronger each year," she said.
A full list of medal winners is available on the Baking Association of Australia website.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
