Sweet success for Viands Bakery

Viands baker Rajwinder Singh prepares award-winning steak pies for a busy day.

Viands Bakery tasted sweet success after taking out three medals at the 21st Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards on Tuesday night.

The Kihikihi bakery won gold in the steak and gravy category for its steak pie.

It also took out bronze for both its chicken and vegetable pie and its vanilla and gingered pear pie with a caramel and custard cream.

There were 5696 entries from 596 bakeries across New Zealand.

The bakery, owned by Shane and Kathy Kearns, won the supreme award in 2011 with its spiced plum, port and apple pie.

They kept the title the following year with a gingered peach and pear pie with cointreau.

Mr Kearns says he is delighted with the win.

"It's a team effort. We have very hardworking staff - I'd like to say a big thank you to them."

Office manager Renee Brown says the staff is "over the moon".

She says the bakery looks forward to a busy week selling award-winning pies.