COVID-19 may have forced the postponement of the Baking Industry Trade Show to 2021, but the annual Australia’s Best Pie and Australia’s Best Pastie competition forged ahead on August 26 regardless, with Victoria sweeping the top spots.

The ‘Pepper Pie’ from Country Cob Bakery in Boronia took out the 2020 prize from the Baking Association of Australia in the plain mince category for the third year in a row.

It’s official – Victoria is the home of Australia’s best pie and pastie.

The ‘Pepper Pie’ from Country Cob Bakery in Boronia took out the 2020 prize from the Baking Association of Australia in the competitive plain mince category.

“The history repeats. We have done it again. Australia’s Best Pie Champion 3 years in a row,” the bakery posted on social media.

“We also took out Australia’s Best Plain Beef Pie, Australia’s Best Gourmet Pie (BBQ pork & Quail egg), Australia’s Best Flavor Beef Pie (Pepper Beef) and Australia’s Best Vegetarian / Vegan Pie (curry cauliflower , lentil , chickpea).”

Keeping up with the trend of winning multiple years in a row, Jo Jo’s Gluten Free Goodies in the small town of Kernot won the prize for the best pastie for the second year running.

“2nd year in a row AUSTRALIA’S BEST PASTIE is Jojo’s!!!!” Jo Jo’s wrote on Facebook.

“Words cannot express our excitement, thank you already to everyone for their support and good wishes.”

Over three days, the competition’s judges tasted 1947 pieces of product, including fare such as camel curry and satay crocodile fillings.

Class 001: PLAIN MINCE BEEF PIE
Country Cob Bakery Boronia

Class 002: CHUNKY BEEF PIE
Maleny Bakery

Class 003: BEEF FLAVOURED PIE
Country Cob Bakery Boronia – Pepper Pie

Class 004: VEGETARIAN PIE
Country Cob Bakery – Curry Cauliflower, Chickpea, Lentil & Pea

Class 005: SEAFOOD PIE
Four Seasons Patisserie – Malasian Seafood Pie

Class 006: POULTRY PIE
Bel’s Gordon Street Bakery – Chicken Cajun

Class 007: GOURMET PIE (YOUR OWN CREATION)
Country Cob Bakery – American BBQ Whiskey Pork & Quail Egg

Class 008: GLUTEN FREE PIE
Mountain High Pies – Lamb Shiraz

Class 009: APPRENTICE PLAIN MINCE BEEF PIE
Four Seasons Patisserie – Tran Le

Class 010: TRADITIONAL PASTIE
Ferguson Plarre

Class 011: GOURMET PASTIE (YOUR OWN CREATION)
Ferguson Plarre – Beef & Porcini Mushroom with Parmesan Mash

Class 012: VEGETARIAN PASTIE
Bels Gordon Street Bakery – Spinach & Three Cheese

Class 013: GLUTEN FREE PASTIE
JoJo’s Gluten Free Goodies – Roast Vegetable Pastie

Class 014: APPRENTICE TRADITIONAL PASTIE
Emma’s – Marie Jackson

For the full list of medals awarded over the three days, go to the official website.