The meat pie is synonymous with Australia. Described by NSW Premier Bob Carr as Australia’s ‘national dish’, the meat pie has been held in the hand of hungry Aussies for more than 100 years, with evidence of Sargent’s producing meat pies way back in 1891. Popular pie manufacturers around Australia include Four ‘n Twenty, which traces its history back to the creation of a meat pie in 1947 by L.T.McClure. Balfour’s and Vili’s have been making pies in South Australia for more than a century, with Mrs Mac’s Pies doing the same in Western Australia.
These days, most of these manufacturers are out there making the frozen pies that we buy in bulk at the major supermarkets, douse them in sauce and enjoy them at home, or in front of 44 rampaging footballers surrounded by a plethora of punters at the footy.
Also Read: Where to Find the Best Vanilla Slice in Australia
The fresh pie stakes have been left up to the local bakery, and country bakeries are certainly holding up their end of the deal. Every year bakeries from all around Australia enter their perfect parcels of meat into the Great Aussie Pie Competition, hoping to take home a major title and chuck a big old sticker on their front window. Fresh as we recover from South Australian bakery Banana Boogie taking out Australia’s best vanilla slice at the Great Vanilla Slice Triumph, here we are stuffing our faces and minds with the best pies and sausage rolls that Australia’s bakers can put forward.
This year is the 35th Official Great Aussie Pie Competition and features categories for plain meat pie, gourmet pie, plain sausage roll, and gourmet sausage roll. Further ‘gourmet’ sub-categories are here, and no less important. Here’s where you’ll find your entrants for the ‘Tom Lindsay Pepper steak pie award’, apprentice category, shepherd’s/potato top pie, slow-cooked bbq pie, game pie, poultry pie, red meat pie, vegetarian/vegan pie, pork pie, traditional pork pie, seafood pie, apple pie, brekkie pie, gluten-free pie, and gluten-free sausage roll. A mouthful of categories, just like the pies and sausage rolls themselves.
These are the winners at the 35th Official Great Aussie Pie Competition, and therefore the best meat pies you can buy in Australia right now.
2024 Great Aussie Pie Competition Major Titles
Plain Meat Pie Title:
Winner
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Chunky Pie
Runner Up
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Chunky Pie
Gourmet Pie Title:
- Jack’s Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Lamb & Red Wine Pie
Plain Sausage Roll Title:
- Orange Spot Bakery | Glenelg, SA | Beef & Pork Sausage Roll
Gourmet Sausage Roll Title:
- Orange Pie Company | Orange, NSW | Maple Bacone & Hazelnut Sausage Roll
Pastie Title:
- Orange Spot Bakery | Glenelg, SA | Beef Vegie Pastie
Category Awards:
Red Meat Pie
- Jack’s Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Lamb & Red Wine Pie
Poultry Pie
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Cambodian Chicken Pie
Vegetarian/Vegan Pie
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Cauliflower Cashew Mornay Pie
Pork Pie
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Red Curried Pork Pie
Gluten-Free Pie
- Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah GF | Ourimbah, NSW | Curry Beef Pie
Shepherd’s Pie/Potato Top Pie
- Jack’s Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Slow Cooked BBQ Pie
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Carolina BBQ Brisket Pie
Game Pie
- Paradise Bakehouse | Bundaberg, QLD | Red Curry Crocodile Pie
Seafood Pie
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Prawn Satay Pie
Apple Pie
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Apple Pie
Brekkie Pie
- Jack’s Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Brekkie Pie
Gluten-Free Sausage Roll
- Jojo’s Gluten-Free Goodies | Kernot, Victoria | Gluten-Free Sausage Roll
Tom Lindsay Pepper Steak Pie Award
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Pepper Beef Pie
Apprentice Category (Pepper Steak Pie)
- Rolling Pin Pies & Cakes (Sam Anderson) | Ocean Grove, Victoria | Pepper Pie
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Day 1 Gold Medal Winners:
- Bourkies Bakehouse | Woodend, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Steak And Pepper
- Glenferrie Gourmet Meats | Hawthorn, Victoria | Gourmet Sausage Roll Red Meat Lamb Honey Rosemary
- Howlong Country Bakery | Howlong, NSW | Gourmet Sausage Roll Poultry Chicken Kiev
- Mawsons Bakery Cafe | Euroa, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Pork Honey Bourbon Pulled Pork
- Ming’s Bakery | Woodvale, Western Australia | Plain Pie Chunky Meat Pie
- Orange Pie Company | Orange, NSW | Gourmet Sausage Roll Pork Pork Apple And Chinese Five Spice
- Orange Pie Company | Orange, NSW | Gourmet Sausage Roll Pork Mapel Bacon And Hazelnut
- Pie Haus | Beaumaris, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Steak Mushroom
- Pie Haus | Beaumaris, Victoria | Plain Pie Chunky Chunky Beef
- Suttons Bakery | Echuca, Victoria | Gourmet Sausage Roll Pork Dim Sim Roll
- The Gluten Free Pie Company | Pyalong, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Gluten Free Beef Shiraz
- The Squealing Pig | Burpengary, QLD | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Rueben
- The Squealing Pig | Burpengary, QLD | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Pizza Topper Flavour
- The Squealing Pig | Burpengary, QLD | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Leek Bacon
- The Waterview Bakery | Paynesville, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Loaded Steak Dianne
- Tomkins Bakery | Point Cook, Victoria | Gourmet Sausage Roll Pork Pork And Lamb
Day 2 Gold Medal Winners:
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Roast Chicken Pie
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Seafood Thai Green Seafood
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Cheeseburger Pie
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Vege Gratin
- Bentley Bakery | Bentley, WA | Plain Pie Chunky Chunky Plain Pie
- Forest Glen Artisan Cafe | Forest Glen, QLD | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken And Mushroom
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Gourmet Pie BBQ Carolina BBQ Brisket
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Parmigiana
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Vietnamese Pepper Steak
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Gourmet Pie Seafood Indo Fish Curry
- Forster Bakehouse | Forster, NSW | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Cauliflower Cashew Mornay
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Gourmet Pie Apple Apple Pie
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Plain Pie Chunky Chunky Mince Plain
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Gourmet Pie Game Mexican Red Wine Kangaroo
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Plain Pie Mince Mince Meat
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Gourmet Pie Pork Red Curried Pork Pie
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Satay Chicken
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Gourmet Pie Seafood Malaysian Seafood
- Four Seasons Patisserie & Bakery | High Wycombe, WA | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Curried Veg
- Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah GF | Ourimbah, NSW | Gourmet Pie Gluten Free Brisket
- Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah GF | Ourimbah, NSW | Gourmet Pie Gluten Free Roast Vegetable Mornay Gourmet
- Heatherbrae Pies Ourimbah GF | Ourimbah, NSW | Gourmet Pie Gluten Free Curry Beef
- Heatherbraes Pies | Heatherbrae, NSW | Gourmet Pie Poultry BBQ Chicken
- Heatherbraes Pies | Heatherbrae, NSW | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Asparagus
- Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery | Cobram, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Banana Curry
- Hungie Fangs Artisan Bakery | Cobram, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Avo Brie
- Jacks Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Gourmet Pie Brekkie Brekkie
- Jacks Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Thai Green Curry
- Jacks Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Lamb And Red Wine
- Jacks Bakery | Halls Head, WA | Gourmet Pie Shepards Potato Shepards Pie
- Knot Just Bread | Narangba, QLD | Gourmet Pie Poultry Satay Chicken
- Mace’s Hot Bread | Miles, QLD | Gourmet Pie BBQ Brisket And Jalapeno
- Mace’s Hot Bread | Miles, QLD | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Curry Veg
- Mace’s Hot Bread | Miles, QLD | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Steak Onion
- Mace’s Hot Bread | Miles, QLD Gourmet Pie Shepards Potato Pie
- Mt Barker Country Bakery | Mount Barker, WA | Gourmet Pie BBQ Honey Glazed Burbon Brisket
- Mt Barker Country Bakery | Mount Barker, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Korean Gochujang Chicken
- Mt Barker Country Bakery | Mount Barker, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Himalayan Herby Chicken
- Mt Barker Country Bakery | Mount Barker, WA | Gourmet Pie Seafood Salmon Peas And Pearl Couscous
- North End Bakehouse | Shepparton, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Cheese Broccoli
- Orange Spot Bakery | Glenelg, SA | Sausage Roll Mince Beef And Pork
- Orange Spot Bakery | Glenelg, SA | Pastie Beef Veg Pastie
- Paradise Bakehouse | Bundaberg, QLD | Gourmet Pie Game Red Curry Crocodile
- Paradise Bakehouse | Bundaberg, QLD | Plain Pie Mince Mince Pie
- Paradise Bakehouse | Bundaberg, QLD | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Lamb Mint
- Parkview Bakery | Maryborough, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Pork Southern Pork
- Parkview Bakery | Maryborough, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Moroccan Chicken
- Parkview Bakery | Maryborough, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Beef And Black Bean
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Korma
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Satay Chicken
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Sriracha Camembert
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Beef Satay
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Gourmet Pie Seafood Surf Turf
- The Little Red Grape | Sevenhill, SA | Gourmet Pie Seafood Prawn Satay
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Roast Chicken Pie
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Thai Green Seafood
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Cheeseburger Pie
- Bakes On Lakes | Stake Hill, WA | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Vege Gratin
Day 3 Gold Medal Winners:
- Banana Boogie | Belair, SA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Jerk Chicken Mango
- Banana Boogie | Belair, SA | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Pepper Gold
- Banana Boogie | Belair, SA | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Cauliflower Curry
- Banana Boogie | Belair, SA | Plain Pie Mince-Chunky Chunky Mince
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Brekkie Salmon Breakfast
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Game Kangaroo Mushroom
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Mince Pepper
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Surf N Turf
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Curry Veg
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Plain Pie Chunky Chunky Plain
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Plain Pie Mince Mince Pie
- Buddy Bakery | Melton, Victoria | Plain Pie Mince-Chunky Chunky Mince Combo
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie BBQ Beef Chili Jalapeno
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Pork Pork Pepper
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Cranberry Brie
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Cheese Bacon Monay
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Creamy Prawn
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Cambodian Chicken
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Chunky Cheese Bacon
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Pepper Beef
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Steak Truffle
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Prawn Penang
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Fish Amok
- Country Cob Bakery | Springvale, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Singapore Laska
- Fairbairn Bakery | Emerald, QLD | Gourmet Pie Pork Sweet Asian Pork
- Fairbairn Bakery | Emerald, QLD | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Lamb Shank
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Pork Pork Ragu
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Tandoori Chicken
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Mash And Bacon
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Chilli Beef
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Curry
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Cheese Bacon Pie
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Cheese And Bacon
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Pepper Pie
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Steak Oyster
- Gisborne Bakery & Cafe | Gisborne, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Abalone Pie
- Kiwi Steak and Cheese Pie | Dandenong, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Poultry Creamy Chicken
- Kiwi Steak and Cheese Pie | Dandenong, Victoria | Gourmet Pie Seafood Seafood
- Liz & Betty | Warrnambool, Victoria | Gourmet Sausage Roll Red Meat Lamb Rosemary
- McLaren Vale Bakery Café | McLaren Vale, SA | Plain Pie Mince Plain Pie
- Miami Bakehouse | Mandurah, WA | Gourmet Pie Poultry Coconut Chicken Curry
- Paul The Pieman Bakery | Inverloch, Victoria | Plain Pie Red Meat Mince
- Pinjarra Bakery | Manning, WA | Pastie Meat And Veg
- Pinjarra Bakery | Manning, WA | Plain Pie Chunky Chunky Beef
- St Leonards Milk Bar/Bakery | Launceston, Tasmania | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Lamb Korma
- St Leonards Milk Bar/Bakery | Launceston, Tasmania | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Chunky Lamb
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Brekkie English Breakfast
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Pork Cauliflower And Bacon
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Poultry Chicken Veg Mornay
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Lamb Veg
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Seafood Creamy Scallop
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Seafood Curry Prawn
- Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop | Glen Innes, NSW | Gourmet Pie Vegetarian Ratatouille
- The Baked Group | Sorrento, Victoria | Pastie Veg And Beef
- The Foodies Basket | Attadale, WA | Gourmet Pie Red Meat Vegemite Cheese Steak
- The Hidden Kitchen | Tootgarook, Victoria | Gourmet Sausage Roll Red Meat Beef And Lamb Roll
The Great Aussie Pie Competition runs until September 5. Get a read on all of the results so far here.
