The best meat pie in Australia has officially been named

A meat pie is as synonymous with Australia as koalas, Vegemite and Cheezels. However, it turns out there’s one meat pie, in particular, that’s worth tucking into.

The Official Great Aussie Pie competition has crowned Whittlesea Bakehouse, which is 50km north of Melbourne, the ‘Best Plain Meat Pie’ in the nation. West Aussie’s who are looking for a great meat pie can check out  Four Seasons Patisserie Cafe and Bakery in Wycombe, which came runner up in the category.

Whittlesea Bakehouse shared the exciting news with their Facebook followers. “The A Team have done it again! Winner of best plain pie Australia! Winners are grinners,” they wrote alongside 

Adrian Caporetto, who works as a pie maker at Whittlesea Bakehouse, explained what he believes makes their pies so popular.

‘I’m a firm believer if you use good ingredients, good flour, good margarine, you keep it simple and love what you do, then that’s what counts,” he told Star Weekly.

“We’re a humble little family bakery and to come out on top among the big boys is great.”

The competition is judged by a professional judging panel who tastes the pies both hot and cold and look for “innovation, creativity, presentation, aroma, and taste”.

Chief judge Mike French says he looks for “A crispy pastry top with flake, a structurally sound pie bottom and the ultimate pie filling” when judging.

He added, “Regardless of the meat you choose, the ultimate pie filling contains meat, thickener, colour, and seasoning and we recommend adding some onion for flavour.”

“Be sure to pay special attention to the ‘meat to pastry’ ratio to achieve the perfect balance and not jeopardise your structure. The pie should be meaty and tasty with a nice rich brown gravy, not grey or black.

“The filling should not fall into your lap when hot, or conversely, stick to the roof of your mouth.”

Check out the full list of winners at the Official Great Aussie Pie competition 2022:

Plain Meat Pie – Whittlesea Bakehouse (Whittlesea, Victoria)

Gourmet Pie – Miss Amelia Gourmet (Wadonga, Vic)

Plain Sausage Roll – The Little Red Grape Bakery (Sevenhill, SA)

Gourmet Sausage Roll – Gippsland Gourmet Pies (Nambrok, Vic)

Tom Lindsay Pepper Steak Pie Award – Country Cob Bakery (Springvale, Vic)

Apprentice Category (Pork Pie) – Banana Boogie Bakery (Belair, SA)

Shepherd’s / Potato Top Pie – Buddy Bakery Melton (Melton, Vic)

Slow Cooked BBQ Pie – Mount Barker Country Baker (Mount Barker, WA)

Game Pie – Gisborne Bakery and Café (Gisborne, Vic)

Poultry Pie – Parkview Bakery (Maryborough, Vic)

Red Meat Pie – Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes (Ocean Grove, Vic)

Vegetarian / Vegan Pie – Jacks Bakery (Mandurah, WA)

Pork Pie – Miss Amelie Gourmet (Wodonga, Vic)

Traditional Pork Pie – 3 J’s Butchers (Traralgon East, Vic)

Seafood Pie – Rolling Pin Pies and Cakes (Ocean Grove, Vic)

Apple Pie – Miami Bakehouse (Greenfields, WA)

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