Dean Brettschneide: Mr Pieman let's try your wares

Pies are favourites with many Kiwis. We like them savoury or sweet and will even devour them out of the warmer at a petrol station if we're on the road.

New Zealand baker Dean Brettschneider has baked up a collection that will have you scurrying to the kitchen to try them out.

Brettschneider's cookbook, dedicated solely to pies, offers more than 80 recipes of savoury and sweet, humble and gourmet and individual and family-sized pies to choose from.

IS THERE A SECRET TO MAKING PASTRY?

Cool workplace and cold butter. Keep your hands cool.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIE?

Mince and cheese with loads of tomato sauce and extra salt and pepper.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DISH?

Spaghetti bolognese, the ultimate comfort food.

WHAT INGREDIENT COULD YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Flour.

IS THERE ANY FOOD YOU WOULDN'T EAT?

Brussels sprouts cooked to death.

HOW DO YOU RELAX?

I relax on planes - have no choice really when I spend so much time travelling. But other than that I enjoy riding my cycling bike.

WHAT IS IN YOUR FRIDGE AT THE MOMENT?

Rugbrd (Danish ryebread).

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF FOOD?

Eating chocolate-chip cookie dough before it went in the oven.

WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST FAN?

My Mum, but also I think my son Jason is pretty proud of me.

WHO WAS THE MAJOR INFLUENCE IN YOUR LOVE OF COOKING?

My grandmother for home-style farm cooking. And Albert Roux, an inspirational French chef.

WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST PARTS ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW?

The best thing is that I'm my own boss and I enjoy having the fun of running my global baking business

The worst thing is having an overseas local authority reduce one of my businesses by 30 per cent because we became too popular. They reduced us because we caused too much traffic congestion.

AS JUDGE ON NEW ZEALAND'S HOTTEST HOME BAKER WHAT IS ONE CRUCIAL TIP YOU WOULD GIVE CONTESTANTS?

Do their homework. They all know me and what I am after.

TELL US THREE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF PEOPLE MAY BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ...

One, I love sailing and dream of sailing around the world. Two, I hate mediocrity and can't accept it. Three, when I evaluate someone, I look at their shoes first.