Hospitality Business Magazine

NZ Bakels bring back the supreme pie awards

After a year’s hiatus the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards, the largest and longest running food competition in New Zealand, are back on the culinary calendar.

Pie lovers around New Zealand were gutted when the 24th Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards were postponed from 2020 due to Covid-19, so excitement is already building among bakers with the news the awards are scheduled to return from May 3 when entries are due to open!

Speculation is already underway as to who might take out the Supreme Award on July 27.

A certain baker…Patrick Lam (aka the Pie King) of Patrick’s Pies Goldstar Bakery in Tauranga ( Often featured in Hospitality Business for his record award winning pie prowess), will be nervously entering the competition again with a lot at stake. He’s currently the reigning champion having won seven Supreme Pie Awards and in 2020 he claimed the first Bakels Legendary Sausage Roll prize, proving his baking versatility.

NZ Bakels Managing Director, Brent Kersel said last year it was like the whole nation let out a sigh of disappointment when the competition was postponed.

“New Zealanders love their pies and it was hard enough that the lockdowns closed their favourite bakeries without losing the Pie Awards as well.

“This year we’re thinking positively about how much as a country we have to be thankful for and the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards helps to celebrate that. So let’s find the best pie in the country and get everyone to try it! We know people will want to.”

The essential pie competition diary dates are: –

May 3 – Entries open

June 24 – Entries close at 5 pm

July 22 – Judgement day

July 27 – Awards night.