It's that delicious time of year again as connoisseurs search for New Zealand's best pie.
Photo: RNZ / Kate Gregan
On Thursday, dozens of judges from across the country ogled, touched, smelled and, of course, tasted thousands of pies for the 24th Bakels Supreme Pie Awards.
This year 4282 pies are in the competition entered by 462 bakers.
There are 11 categories, including mince and cheese, potato top and chicken and vegetable, and the supreme award is judged from the gold winning pies.
Each year a celebrity chef helps with the judging and this year it is Peter Gordon, who is more than happy with his new role.
"It's like I'm a kid in the toy shop, I'm pies' biggest fan. I love a pie," he said.
Gordon said the competition was a pleasure to judge and believed many New Zealanders are just as passionate about the doughy delicacies.
"Everyone loves a good pie," he said.
"A pie on the run is good. If you're running for a meeting somewhere and you don't have time for a proper sit-down meal with loads of salad, grab a pie and it will sustain you for a while."
"Pies are really good, they serve a purpose and they're part of our heritage, I'd say."
Pies are assessed on gravy-to-meat ratio and how much 'puff' the pastry has. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gregan
Judging over the 10-hour day is done blind - the pie boxes carry no identifying information other than the box number.
When judges consider a pie, they examine the top, the bottom, the colour, the gravy-to-meat ratio (Is it too runny? Can a pie-lover devour this while driving?) and how much 'puff' the puff pastry has.
It's a big job, that's taken very seriously.
NZ Bakels managing director Brent Kersel said he had eaten many pies in his 20 years with the company and wasn't bored with them yet.
"I don't think I could ever get sick of a pie. You need to keep on trying to get perfection," he said.
Judging is carried out blind, with each box having only an identification number. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gregan
Kersel said the standard of pies had improved over the years.
"That's what the competition has done, it's changed so much over the years."
"Everyone has commented today about how good the pastry is on all the pies. It's just brought the standard up because obviously if your pies are no good these days your customers won't come in."
So what makes the perfect pie?
"It's really a fresh, flaky pastry, and obviously a good tasty filling, nicely seasoned," he said.
The winners will be announced on 27 July.
