PAUL the Pieman Bakery in Inverloch has done it again, securing a gold and two silver medals for three of their tastiest pies at the recent Baking Association of Australia Awards last week.
The bakery came up against more than 360 other bakeries and more than 2000 pies were entered and judged over three days of competition.
“We won one gold medal, which is for our smoky beef, jalapeno and cheese pie,” said Mitchell, son of Paul and Robyn, and Baker/Pastry Chef and Production Manager.
“We developed it over the last few years. We were adding different ingredients and got to a point where we won the competition. We've won a few awards with that flavour combination now.”
“We've also won two silver awards, which were for our Korean BBQ pork and our smoked brisket and Jack Daniel's BBQ pies.”
The pies are judged on the pastry, how well they’ve been baked through, how stable the filling is, the flavour of the pie and the overall look and feel of the pie, such as, not falling apart and being easy and enjoyable to eat.
While there are several categories judged, being awarded a gold medal is indicative that the pie is excellent and above industry standard.
“We entered to keep us on track with things, and to ensure we're still producing a good product,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell commented that pies are judged similarly to wine, on a points-based system and while there was an overall winner, the bakery team was keen to find out where they ranked to see how they can improve next year and secure the la crème de la crème.
“We're a bit tucked away, so it's always nice to network and see where you stand against the big award-winning bakeries,” said Mitchell.
“There are a lot of high industry standards and some big bakeries that always do well.”
Ocean Grove's Rolling Pin Pies won the overall award with their prawn laksa pie. This is the third time they have taken out the overall win over the last four years.
The next big competition that Paul the Pieman will be entering is The Official Great Aussie Pie Competition in September. A competition they’ve secured multiple awards in previously, including the top category awards for their Korean BBQ pork and pepper steak pies.
With the feedback from the judges, the production team will head into the kitchen and look at ways to further improve their award-winning pies.
“We'll go back and change a few things, and then we'll head into a developing stage and look around for our next pies to start to enter,” said Mitchell.
With a number of fresh flavour combinations discussed between Mitchell and Paul, it certainly won't be the last award won.
As for the verdict from the public, the smoky beef, jalapeno and cheese pies, "are just delicious!".
