Bakers on a quest for taste of fame

Wanganui's pie-makers have gone into battle again, armed with golden flaky puff-pastry  and top-secret, mouth-watering fillings for the annual Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Awards.
Pies from seven pie-makers in Wanganui, Marton, Bulls, Rangitikei and Hawera will join 368 bakeries from around the country in entering 4336 pies in the competition.
The judging will take place early tomorrow morning in Auckland, taking into account presentation, the pastry on the top and bottom of the pie, the filling (visual) and, most importantly, the taste.
The local to beat is Butchart's Home Cookery in Gonville, with owner and baker Cameron Butchart back for his sixth year and attempting to better last year's placing.
Mr Butchart's steak and cheese pie was placed 10th in its category out of 387 steak
and cheese pies submitted by bakeries throughout New Zealand.
It was the seventh time he had been placed in the competition's top 10.
Finishing up the final touches to his pies yesterday, Mr Butchart was driving his pies up to Auckland this morning.
Having entered all but one category - he does not make enough pies to fit into the commercial section - Mr Butchart has 20 pies to deliver safely to the venue, two for each category.
It's a competition he takes seriously, calling in the aid of friend Jesse Masters and leaning on the support of his nine staff during what he calls "a very stressful time".
The pastry not only has to be made from scratch, but they also must stick to strict weight and size requirements, depending on the category.
Added to that, Mr Butchart likes to try something different each year to keep things fun and interesting.
The competition had been getting harder every year; he had even taken the time to travel around the country and try the pies of previous winners over the years, he said.
But, on the day, it was anyone's game, he said.
"We've beaten previous winners in the past - you just never know. I'm getting close to perfecting my recipe ...  It's tricky, so fingers crossed."
The bakers will compete for 45 awards, including gold, silver, bronze and highly commended, plus the Supreme Award of $7500 cash.
Wanganui bakeries  competing  are Butchart's Home Cookery, Fitzherbert Ave Home Cookery, Gaslight Bakery, Marton Bakery and Cafe, Bulls Bakery, Crystal Bar Tearooms and Bakery and Tun's Bakery.
The winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 27.