The biggest prize in baking in New Zealand has been announced this week: the 2024 Bakels NZ Pie Awards.

The 2024 competition saw more than 5000 entries and 545 bakers enter with pies ranging from the classic steak and gravy right through to fancier fare like scallops.

Of the 110 finalist pies more than half were from Auckland, however the major prize was awarded to a South Island bakery.

Baker Arlyn Thompson from Artisan by Rangiora Bakery took out the Supreme Award for her entry in the Gourmet Meat category.

It was the first time in the Bakels NZ Pie award’s 29-year history that a South Island Bakery has clinched the top gong.

Arlyn’s creation was a slow-cooked ‘Sumatra-style’ beef pie that was described as beautiful to eat by judge Sid Sahrawat.

“The flavours are so well balanced and the pastry and tender meat are a perfect comfort combination,” Sahrawat said in the media release.

“On a cold winter’s night, that’s the pie you want to eat.”

NZ Bakels managing director Brent Kersel said this year they had seen a lot more bakers  giving the Gourmet Meat category a go, with entry numbers making this the third largest category to be judged.

“Right from the very first round of the Gourmet Meat judging there was some really stand out pies coming through with exceptional pastry making it a challenge to score on and then an abundance of flavour innovation,” he said.

“We had smoked trevally with peas, carrots, beans and corn; Mexican venison; beef brisket with beer; cheese and jalapeno; spicy prawn; beef moussaka and even old-fashioned mutton pie. So much variety and we know pie fans want that variety from time to time. But when it comes to steak and cheese and mince cheese they really are our ‘iconic’ pies, and being the two top entry categories shows how they are still the staple of bakeries, especially when the pastry has beautiful layering and a rich, moist and well-balanced filling. For me, you can’t beat a mince and cheese pie.

Arlyn, who also took home the Gold Award in the Mince & Gravy category, is just the second woman to win the Supreme prize. The first time was in 2021 when Soheap Long from Euro Patisserie Torbay claimed the win.

According to The New Zealand Herald Soheap was a finalist in seven categories this year, and of the 110 finalist pies 26 were baked by women.

In the past the Supreme Award has been dominated by Patrick Lam, who has won the award eight times.