Bakers in Richmond Valley, New South Wales, got out their pastry rollers on the Australia Day weekend to compete for the title of best Aussie pie.

The competition was open to both commercial and home bakers, with committee chair George Thompson saying competition was tough.

“There are some great bakers in the Richmond Valley, with some long-preserved meat-based recipes handed down through generations that can easily rival contemporary flavours,” he said.

Coraki bakery beat off the competition with baker Darryl Bryant’s plain meat pie taking out first prize. A curry meat pie from Kibbles of Casino came a close second.

“The pies were judged by three experienced pie eaters: Mayor Ernie Bennett, Richmond Valley Council general manager John Walker and Richmond Valley SES controller Northern Rivers Jim McCormack. They put in a sterling effort devouring nine pies each,” George said.