Ballarat’s Best Pie Crowned – and It’s American As

Aussie Olympians have been battling it out in the pool, on the field and on the courts over in Paris. But this past Saturday August 3, a much fiercer competition took place in Ballarat as 28 pies from the city’s bakeries, cafes and bars competed for the title of Ballarat’s Best Pie. The hotly contested event included both sweet and savoury creations.

The title was awarded to a wild-orchard-apple and vodka pie made by Itinerant Spirits – a sweet pie with stewed apple inside a pink crust, topped with a latticed pastry blanket. The eye-catching dessert was also named Best Sweet Pie.

Judges – Masterchef Australia’s Sofia Levin, former Masterchef contestant Tim Bone and food writer Richard Cornish – gave second place (and Best Savoury Pie) to a lamb shank with mustard mashed potato pie from 321 Cafe and third went to a curry laksa pie from Flying Chillies.

All 28 competition pies are available at their respective venues until Saturday August 31.