Ballarat's iconic pie competition has a winner & it's a cookie dream
Roll up to Ballarat this August to taste one of the best pies in Australia.
There are very few things Australians can agree on when it comes to food. Is it a potato scallop or a potato cake? A parmi, or a parma? Was the pavlova invented here or in New Zealand? Is the Shortbread Cream the best biccie to exist, or is it some other, lesser biscuit? Yet, what we can all agree on is the fact that the humble pie is an elite Aussie staple. Of course, then we can all continue to fight about which pie is best – or we can save face and head to Ballarat’s Best Pie competition to find out.
Feral Pie at The Shared Table
Taste the award-winning Feral Pie at The Shared Table. (Image: littleBIG)
Every August, this beloved competition turns the city of Ballarat into a pie haven for the whole month. The competition pits 36 pies against each other for the winning title, from local chefs, restaurants, cafes and venues. And no, they’re not all beef. From savoury to sweet, everyone will have a favourite.
“Whether it’s a pie with purpose or one that pushes the flavour boundaries, this event is all about celebrating our local producers, chefs and hospitality operators – and giving people a delicious reason to visit Ballarat this August,” said Hon. John Pandazopoulos, Tourism Midwest Victoria Chair.
This year, winners were chosen in seven categories (because one just isn’t enough), with three brand new ones: Brilliantly Unexpected Pie, Pie with Purpose (rewarding a low-waste or local-produce approach) and People’s Choice Pie (with the public voting for their favourite).
creator holding Mrs Browne Bakes’ raspberry goldfields cookie pie at Naomi & i
Mrs Browne Bakes’ won for her dessert pie entry. (Image: littleBIG)
This year’s full list of winners, for your planning pleasure (taste them all month by following the Ballarat Pie Trail (maps available from the Ballarat Information Centre, or downloaded from the city’s website):
Ballarat’s Best Pie grand prize winner: Mrs Browne Bakes’ raspberry goldfields cookie pie
at Naomi & i
- Best Savoury Pie: Lechon paksiw pie at Hotel Canberra’s Stables Cafe & Bar
- Best Sweet Pie: Mrs Browne Bakes’ raspberry goldfields cookie pie at Naomi & i
- Best Bakery Pie: Beef rendang pie at Turret Bakehouse
- Brilliantly Unexpected Pie: Lechon paksiw pie at Hotel Canberra’s Stables Cafe & Bar
- Pie with Purpose: Feral Pie at The Shared Table
Beef rendang pie at Turret Bakehouse
Beef rendang pie at Turret Bakehouse won Best Bakery Pie. (Image: littleBIG)
While in Ballarat, discover the city’s old world charm with these 15 things to do, and book into our top picks of accommodation options.
