Five of the best: Auckland pies

Mince and cheese pies lined up for judging at the New Zealand Bakels Supreme Pie Awards in Auckland. Photo / Richard Robinson

Take a tiki-tour of the region's upper crust piemakers.

1. Whenuapai Bakehouse & Cafe
79 Brigham Creek Rd, Whenuapai

Cambodian-born brothers Hong Kheng and Hong Keat Lim struck gold at last week's Bakels Supreme Pie Awards with their flawless version of the Kiwi staple, classic mince and gravy pie. Their mince and cheese, steak and cheese or steak and creamy mushroom pies are also worth the detour.

2. Greenland Bakery & Cafe
3 Market Square, Botany Town Centre, Auckland

Vegetarians will salivate over David Liem's gold award winning broccoli, pumpkin, carrot, spinach and mushroom pie. Brother, Bill Lenh Liem's Greenland cafe in Pukekohe won the silver award in the same category. Giving up meat is worth it.

3. Target Bakehouse
231 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe

When you're in Pukekohe, check out 23-year-old Cambodian baker Nap Ly's gold award-winning mince and cheese pie. He also recommends his chicken and vegetable pie. Baking is in the family blood as his dad and partner are in the Pukekohe business while brothers run bakeries in Warkworth, K Rd and Forrest Hill.

4. Rob's Patisserie
95D Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby

Helena Robben tried out her caramelised pork belly with coriander pie on her family for weeks before she perfected her gold award winning recipe in the new cafe boutique category. Ponsonby perfection.

5. Richoux Patisserie
119 Main Highway, Ellerslie

Jason Hay's gold award-winning chicken, cranberry and camembert cheese pie came out tops in the gourmet meat category. Cambodian-born Jason also recommends his new curried venison pie a big health serve, great value at $4.50 a pie.

Where's your favourite pie shop? What flavours do you prefer, fruity/meaty/classic bacon and eggy?