SIX Western Bay bakers have won eight awards for their creations at the Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards.
One Tree Bakery owner Bunchoeun "Bun" Keo followed on from his success last year with a gold award and a highly commended.
His steak-and-gravy pie won gold and his bacon and egg was highly commended. Last year his chicken-and-veggie pie won gold while his steak-veggie-and-gravy pie earned a fifth placing in its category and his vegetarian pie was ranked eighth.
Speaking to the Bay of Plenty Times before the awards were judged last night, he said there were two key aspects to a good pie. "Just for me, I think the most important first thing is pastry. That's key in attracting judges," Mr Keo said. "Second is filling. You need high-quality ingredients and for it not to go everywhere when you eat it."
Patrick Lam of Patrick's Pie Group has also topped off another successful year with two bronze awards, including one for a gourmet Cointreau, pear and apple cherry pie.